Authors: Sujan Chandra Mondol – Brigham Young University
Title: New CIROH REST API: Fast and Flexible NWM Data Access
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: The datasets generated from the National Water Model (NWM), the CONUS-scale hydrological framework, have a lot of applications for water-related decision-making. However, the high spatio-temporal resolution of the data products makes the datasets extensive, posing a challenge in data storage and dissemination. The generation of BigQuery-based NWM public datasets was a big step in addressing this challenge by embracing a tabular data approach from the netCDF-based spatial data layers using an automated workflow. The API developed and deployed by CIROH further facilitated data access with its configuration-based endpoints for user flexibility. However, this API still has a lot of scope to be improved for better user service and wider acceptance by a larger community of water researchers and professionals. This poster outlines a set of new features and approaches for the upcoming enhancements. These include the inclusion of NWM-derived data products such as return periods (already implemented) and indices for leaping towards actionable intelligence since the API can sufficiently provide such data alongside the regular data products to service-based applications such as web apps. Moreover, the geospatial aspect of the data is currently not considered, as the geometry endpoint is kept isolated. Leveraging this data product and using geographic queries, the data access can be more direct by using spatial vector datasets as inputs for getting data within a precise extent and by obtaining data in geospatial file formats. Additionally, with the rise of large language models, data access can be made even easier with natural language prompts instead of structured API URLs. Presenting this conceptual framework of development with its possible set of components and features, this poster aspires to suggest future pathways for the enhancement of the NWM API.