Wyoming Water and Climate Data Accessible Online

A new Wyoming Web atlas provides tools to explore and deliver climate, weather, snowpack, stream flow and state water development information.

The new Wyoming Water and Climate Web Atlas was developed by the Water Resources Data System (WRDS) at the University of Wyoming, in conjunction with UW’s Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center and the Wyoming Water Development Commission.

The goal of this mapping portal is to allow Wyoming’s water users and managers to find as much information as they can, in one spot, on one of the state’s most precious resources, says Chris Nicholson, director of WRDS and the Wyoming State Climate office at UW. To view the atlas, visit www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wcwa.html.

“As more and more people use the Web to get local, regional and state information on Wyoming’s water resources, we have taken the opportunity to make water and climate data available using customized ArcGIS Server maps,” Nicholson says. “This Web atlas allows water users, managers and their consultants to examine numerous aspects of Wyoming water and climate systems simultaneously for access to important sources of data and information.”

Nicholson says the Web atlas allows users to visualize different water and climate data resources in specific geographic regions, and then retrieve information related to that area. For example, water users interested in applying for funding for a water development project from the Wyoming Water Development Commission can zoom in to their areas of interest, click on the map and find out what reports, studies or construction projects have been done in the vicinity. 

“They also can find information related to area water rates, well depths and yields, stream gauges, and where the nearest National Weather Service stations are located to get information about the region’s precipitation,” he says.

In addition to Wyoming Water Development Commission reports and products, the atlas also offers historic climate data from National Weather Service stations and U.S. drought monitoring services; state engineer’s office well data; reports on groundwater and service water quality; reservoir information; plus information relating to river basin planning boundaries, irrigation districts and a variety of other sources.

The project was funded by the Wyoming Water Development Commission and will be a key component of updates to the State Water Plan, Nicholson says.  

“We encourage everyone to take a look at this tool and share it with whomever you think may find it helpful,” he says. 

For questions, comments or suggestions, contact WRDS at cnichol5@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-3741.