Bridging science and action: the Western Water Assessment’s evolution in the provision of climate information

Abstract

Universities are increasingly becoming centers for activities that bridge the gap between weather and climate information. These activities integrate emerging research with science-informed decision-making to contribute to the development of official climate services. Yet there is relatively little literature describing how they balance the competing demands of stakeholder engagement, academic incentives, and the need for actionable science. Here, we contribute to the conversation by examining Western Water Assessment (WWA)—a boundary organization and university-based climate information provider operating in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah for over two decades. Originally motivated by improving the usability of seasonal forecasts for water managers, WWA has broadened its scope in response to evolving stakeholder needs as well as extreme events in its region. This transformation has been facilitated by both its more flexible funding model and its position within a university, both of which supported WWA in cultivating longer-term relationships and maintaining institutional stability. This paper highlights the strengths and challenging experiences faced by a university-based climate information provider through the lens of the history and evolution of WWA. The strengths of the university setting, such as access to innovation, credibility, stability, flexibility, and neutrality, on balance outweigh the negatives of misaligned incentive structures and limited capacity to meet demand. Overall, this paper underscores the value of integrating research and outreach within a robust university framework and seeks to provide useful insights into how university-based climate information provision can support societal resilience.

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