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Knowledge Stream
The Knowledge Stream published by the Bureau of Reclamation’s Research and Development Office, is a quarterly magazine bringing mission-critical news about the agency's research and science, as well as the many challenges associated with managing water and generating power in the West, including: projects, tools, methods, practices, results, innovation, prize competitions, publications, and more.
Advancing the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Reclamation
Welcome to the Fall 2024 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we highlight activities related to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in carrying out Reclamation’s mission. AI is ubiquitous in the mainstream technology discussion – from the latest smartphone to use in big business. In this issue you’ll read about ongoing innovation activities at Reclamation that leverage AI for a range of applications – from more skillful streamflow forecasts to condition monitoring and predictive maintenance for hydropower equipment. We hope you find these articles timely given the current attention to this topic and perhaps serve as inspiration for how AI might have a role in the work you do! Read Issue →
Innovating Through Prize Competitions
Welcome to the Summer 2024 issue of th Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we highlight updates to the Science and Technology Prize Competition Program at the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Prize competitions use an innovative crowdsourcing technique to develop solutions to meet Reclamation’s missions. Reclamation has launched 34 competitions and awarded over $6.5M for winning solutions since the inception of the Prize Competition Program. Recently completed, on-going, and upcoming prize competitions are described. This issue also includes two new complementary tools and mechanisms to the prize competition program: technology searches and facilitated adoption. Prize competitions are complementary to traditional research while targeting Reclamation’s most persistent science and technology challenges. Read Issue →
Innovation in Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Modeling
Welcome to the Fall 2023 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue we highlight the Sedimentation and River Hydraulics – Two-Dimensional (SRH-2D) model. Since 2004, Reclamation has developed and maintained SRH-2D as a numerical model for simulating river and reservoir processes. The model is used for investigation of a wide range of hydraulic, eco-hydraulic and sediment issues, and for assessing management alternatives and actions. Developing and maintaining the model in-house has allowed it to be tailored to meet Reclamation’s specific needs. Beyond Reclamation, SRH-2D is also used and supported by a range of U.S. and international agencies. Read Issue →
Collaboration Builds Reclamation GIS
Welcome to the Spring 2023 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue we highlight the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the Bureau of Reclamation. GIS is a powerful data management platform used to organize and manipulate spatial information for research and operational aspects of Reclamation’s mission. GIS capabilities allow scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate data on a host of topics ranging from species surveys to infrastructure assets to hydrologic conditions. Robust data management practices and geospatial capabilities are cornerstones of the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act of 2018, and the Modernizing Access to our Public Lands (MAPLand) Act of 2022. Read Issue →
Innovation in Sustainable Reservoir Sediment Management
Welcome to the Fall 2022 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we highlight research and innovation activities related to sustainable reservoir sediment management. Reservoirs provide a buffer to hydrologic variability both within a given year and across years, helping to reliably meet downstream demands. However, as decades go by, reservoirs are steadily losing water storage capacity, with sediment filling space once reserved for water. This presents significant challenges for reservoir operation and maintenance in addition to supply reliability impacts associated with lost storage capacity. Read Issue →
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Innovation at Reclamation – Research & Development Office Overview
Welcome to the Spring 2022 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we provide an overview of Research and Development (R&D) Office and Programs. As the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) carries out its mission, a variety of scientific and technical challenges are encountered that benefit from innovation activities. The R&D Office invests in such innovation through the Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR) Program and the Science and Technology (S&T) Program, both of which help to advance Reclamation’s technical abilities to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner. Additionally, the R&D Office houses several other programs: the Reclamation Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Program, the recently authorized Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program, the S&T Prize Competition Program, and the Open Water Data Program. Read Issue >>
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Materials Research: Preserving the Longevity of Reclamation Structures
Welcome to the Winter 2021 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue we highlight Research and Development (R&D) Office efforts in materials research to address the various challenges in our infrastructure. R&D has been funding research on materials to be able to meet the needs of our aging infrastructure and at the same time innovate and create the infrastructure for the next century. Read Issue >>
Invasive Mussels: From Detection to Control
Welcome to the Fall 2021 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue we highlight Research and Development (R&D) Office efforts to address the challenges posed by invasive zebra and quagga mussels on Western U.S. water management.
Identifying better ways to detect mussel settlement, predict spread, combat impacts on facilities, and control populations in lakes and reservoirs is a key component of Reclamation’s efforts to control and mitigate mussels impacts on Reclamation’s water infrastructure and in managed waterways. Read Issue >>
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Water Treatment
Welcome to the Summer 2021 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we highlight research related to water treatment. Research and Development Office (R&D) programs support research, development, and demonstration of desalination and advanced water treatment technologies for the purpose of converting unusable water resources into climate-resilient water supplies. Expanding water supplies through advanced water treatment is a key component to a strong portfolio of water supply options that water managers can use to address water scarcity in a changing climate.
Expanding water supplies through advanced water treatment is a key component to a strong portfolio of water supply options that water managers can use to address water scarcity in a changing climate. Read Issue >>
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Water Availability: Monitoring and Forecasting
Welcome to the Spring 2021 issue of the Knowledge Stream. In this issue, we highlight research related to forecasting water availability. For many Reclamation Projects, springtime means rivers swollen with snowmelt. During this time, operators rely heavily on forecasts of water availability–from sub-daily streamflow forecasts to seasonal water supply forecasts.
Reclamation staff and partners are working on a range water availability monitoring, forecasting, and long-term projection activities spanning from research to applications. Read Issue >>
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Big Data in Condition Monitoring
In this issue we spotlight Reclamation’s efforts to rapidly and reliably assess the conditions of its built infrastructure and natural assets to support management decisions. As technologies are rapidly advancing to support retrieval of large amounts of condition information, Reclamation is challenged to find better ways to efficiently collect, analyze and manage these large volumes of data – often coined “big data.”
Reclamation innovators are striving to make progress in various related areas, aiming to yield new tools and best practices. Read Issue >>
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Open Data Access through the Reclamation Information Sharing Environment
Welcome to this issue of the Knowledge Stream. In this issue we spotlight Reclamation’s new platform – the Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE) – for modernized sharing of mission data that benefits the public, the private sector, and the U.S. economy. RISE includes troves of data generated by Reclamation as it carries out its water and power mission, including data on water operations, water quality, infrastructure, hydropower, and environmental resources.
Development of RISE responds to federal policy and legislative mandates to make federal data assets more “open” – that is, more easily found, shared and used by public and private sectors.
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Improving Employee Safety: Noise Control in Powerplants
Welcome! In this issue of the Knowledge Stream we are sharing about how we’re addressing noise-related safety challenges in Reclamation’s powerplants and other facilities. Reducing noise helps to protect employees from the impacts of noise-induced hearing loss, create a better working environment, and promote employee safety and health.
We’re excited to highlight collaborations involving R&D Office’s Science and Technology Program, Reclamation offices and facilities, and outside organizations. These efforts involved demonstrations and facilitated adoption – an important act of transitioning maturing technologies into broader use. Read Issue >>
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Canal Health
R&D is excited to share research progress on canal health in the latest issue of the Knowledge Stream magazine. This issue highlights better ways to identify and quantify canal seepage to prioritize canal improvements, enhance sustainability, and support water delivery reliability.
Canal sustainability is a priority issue for Reclamation and the western U.S. water management community. Reclamation and partners have constructed over 8,000 miles of canal to service water deliveries. As canals age, water managers seek efficient and affordable ways to inspect frequently, identify seepage areas, and analyze areas of interest to inform response. Read Issue >>
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Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility
This issue highlights the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program’s operational funding of the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF) in Alamogordo, New Mexico. In addition to supporting clients and fostering technology development, BGNDRF also hosts more than 1000 visitors per year and offers special events bringing together private sector, academic, government organizations, and the public to discuss water technologies. Read Issue >>
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Prize Competitions
The spotlight is on the Science and Technology (S&T) Program’s prize competition activities that address some of Reclamation’s most difficult technical challenges in water availability, infrastructure, and environmental issues in water and power management. Topics include: Federal prize competition authorities; when to implement prize competitions and the general process; topic identification and selection; government and private sector partnerships; maturing competition solutions from concept to use; lessons learned after five years of prize administration; and more! Read Issue >>
FY 2018 S&T Research Year in Review
FY 2017 S&T Research Year in Review
Climate Variability and Extremes
Reservoir Sedimentation and Sustainability
Water Technology Prize Competitions
Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Safety
FY 2015 Year in Review, Preview, and Research
Ecohydraulics and River Restoration
Hydropower and Renewable Energy
Call for Proposals, Post-Jam, and Technology Challenges
FY 2014 Year in Review, Research Awards, and Research Jam
For 2013 and before, visit the Knowledge Stream archive.
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Drought in the West
Welcome to the Summer 2022 issue of the Knowledge Stream! In this issue, we highlight research and innovation activities related to drought in the West. As the Nation’s largest wholesaler of water and second largest producer of hydropower, drought strikes at the core of the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) mission. Read Issue →
