David's firm (Climate Central) built an interactive tool that links directly to the USGS map of real-time streamflow:
At a glance, the streamflow map shows (with thematically colored locations) where there is too much water (flooding) and too little water (drought). Immediately, the idea of "pipeline from flood to drought" pops into my head. Google it, and, aside from numerous website postings and blog comments, we find references to the "National Smart Water Grid" and "House of Representatives (H.R.) Bill 135 (Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2009) would establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future water needs."
According to govtrack.us click here for link, the bill was introduced January 6, 2009, and, on February 4, 2009, was Referred to the House Natural Resources/Subcommittee on Water and Power. It never got out of Subcommittee, and is therefore dead. The proposer of the bill, Representative John Linder (R-GA7), retired from Congress at the end of 2010; his successor in Georgia's 7th congressional district is Rob Woodall, who took office in January 2011. It is unknown if Rep. Woodall will re-introduce the bill.
govtrack.us provides a link identifying the 48 members of the House Committee on Natural Resources click here for link. I urge you to look at the list - if your representative is there, you should write him/her expressing your concern about the lack of movement in solving our country's Infrastructure Problems - the National Smart Water Grid would solve today's problem of flooding-and-drought.
Maps Communicate Actionable Information - once we identify it, let's solve the problem!
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