Water Research Optimization Act of 2025

Water Research Optimization Act of 2025 would reorganize how NOAA and the National Weather Service handle water research and operations. It designates the Office of Water Prediction within the National Weather Service as a central hub to lead the transition of water research, including model development, into operational use by NOAA and NWS. The bill elevates the National Water Center as the primary center for water research, development, collaboration, and coordination across multiple federal agencies, and it requires that hydrological modeling be incorporated into NOAA’s unified forecast system using the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (or its successor). It also restructures oversight of River Forecast Centers and the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), and extends related activities through fiscal years 2024–2028. The overall aim is to improve consistency and coordination of national and regional hydrological operations and accelerate the move from research to operations.