The Water Information and Data Subcommittee (WIDS)
About WIDS
The Water Information and Data Subcommittee (WIDS) provides a forum for WSWC members to learn, share, and exchange ideas specific to water information and data management.
WIDS is one of WSWC’s subcommittees, composed of our member agencies’ IT and program staff, who specialize in water data topics and hands-on water data management. WIDS members are listed here
The primary purpose of WIDS is to advise the WSWC Executive Committee and oversee and direct present and future WSWC data-related efforts, including the Water Data Exchange (WaDE). WIDS serves as a forum for addressing basic water data issues, data-sharing, data best management practices, quality control, publication, etc.
WIDS members are gathered from member states and federal agencies who have expressed an interest in working on data topics. The group meets via conference call and webinar three times a year, and also may meet at WSWC council meetings on an ad-hoc basis .To submit ideas for WIDS, a WIMS, or to request more information, please contact Adel Abdallah, the WaDE Program Manager
WIDS Goals
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Serve as a forum for members to organize and discuss basic water data issues, data-sharing, best management practices, quality control, publication, etc.
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Provide feedback on federal data-related initiatives. Examples include NIDIS’ Drought Early Warning Systems, USGS’ National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP), and the Open Water Data Initiative (OWDI).
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Develop and host WSWC Water Information Management Systems (WIMS) Workshops or Symposium, bringing together staff from our member agencies to collaborate and share information on water data trends and innovations.
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Assist with guidance and review of the WaDE program, especially regarding priorities and seeking program resources.
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Work with federal agencies and others to encourage sharing of important datasets in machine-readable, interoperable, and standardized formats.
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Assess and work to address water data gaps and challenges with our members, bringing a regional perspective to the table.
WIDS Activities
WIDS Summer Meeting – August 2021
Water Information and Data Subcommittee (WIDS) Summer Meeting – August 2021 Meeting Summary The meeting was attended by 40 experts on water and data including guests from the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP) Water Data & Science Committee. The meeting...
WIDS Kickoff Spring Meeting – April 2021
Water Information and Data Subcommittee (WIDS) Kickoff Spring Meeting – April 2021 We had an amazing and historic turnout with 36 attendees representing most of our member states and partners. Thank you! Meeting Summary In this kickoff meeting, the WIDS group was...
WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019
WIDS Spring Meeting – January 2019 WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Agenda WIDS 2019 Planning Mtg – January 2019 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: The WIDS group discussed the cloud survey results and report. An update on WaDE-Phase II was given....