The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, has implemented Project Snowpack, a program aimed at improving flood prediction and revolutionizing floodplain management in the Upper Missouri River Basin. The project utilizes a network of mesonet stations that observe local weather patterns and phenomena such as soil moisture, snow depth, and wind speed. The Omaha District partnered with universities and other agencies to expand the network across five states, providing valuable data every five minutes to improve emergency response times for severe weather events. The data will also assist agriculturists in planning for range movement, planting, and identifying drought conditions. The project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will include 540 mesonet weather stations, making it the largest network of its kind worldwide.
Project Snowpack is a multi-state and federal agency program implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, in response to the historic floods of the Upper Missouri River Basin in 2011. The program aims to improve flood prediction and floodplain management in the region. It utilizes a network of mesonet stations that observe various meteorological elements such as soil moisture, snow depth, and wind speed. The stations provide data every five minutes, improving emergency response times for severe weather events such as flash floods and tornadoes. The Omaha District partnered with universities and other agencies to expand the network across five states and provide valuable insight for agriculture and climate resiliency. The project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will include 540 mesonet weather stations, making it the largest network of its kind worldwide.
Project Snowpack, implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is set to revolutionize floodplain management and improve flood prediction in the Upper Missouri River Basin. The program involves a network of mesonet stations that observe local weather patterns, providing data on factors such as soil moisture, snow depth, and wind speed. These stations enhance emergency response times for severe weather events like flash flooding and tornadoes. The project is a result of partnerships between the Omaha District, universities, and federal agencies, aiming to expand the network across five states. It also benefits agriculturists by providing crucial data for range movement, planting, and identifying drought conditions. With 540 mesonet weather stations set to be installed by 2027, Project Snowpack will be the largest network of its kind worldwide, offering benefits for flood and drought mitigation efforts, agriculture, and climate resiliency.
