The Bureau of Reclamation has entered into a new partnership with the International Center for Water Resources Management at Central State University in Ohio, the Ohio View Consortium, and Colorado State University. This new collaboration will develop advanced remote sensing technologies to help Reclamation manage water resources in areas where there are current or potential water conflicts.

"This partnership is a great opportunity for Reclamation," said Reclamation Commissioner John Keys. "It will support the goals of Interior Secretary Gale Norton's Water 2025 initiative by helping us and our customers manage for future water needs."

The new remote sensing technologies will improve Reclamation's ability to estimate snow water equivalents and evapotranspiration losses. This data will help Reclamation gain a better understanding of water supplies and demands so it can be more efficient in delivering water when and where it is needed.

For its part, Reclamation has identified watersheds where water conflict exists, or the potential for future water conflicts is high, and where remote sensing data could help address water conflict issues. These watersheds are consistent with the "Potential Water Supply Crises by 2025" illustration developed for Water 2025: Preventing Conflict and Crises in the West.

Water 2025 encourages voluntary water banks and other market-based measures, promotes the use of new technology for water conservation and efficiency, and removes institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations.