OpenET for Water Managers

Using Data to Drive Strategic Decisions

Across the Western US and beyond, water managers are using OpenET to modernize water accounting, support conservation efforts, and improve planning at every level—from irrigation districts to entire basins. This page features real-world examples of how water agencies, policymakers, and resource managers are applying OpenET data to design innovative programs, inform policy, and respond to changing conditions.

Advancing Groundwater Sustainability with California DWR & OpenET

California
Read More

Sustainable Water Management for the Ogallala Aquifer

Twin Platte Natural Resources District, West Central Nebraska
Read More

OpenET & Water Planning, Data Collection, & Data Dissemination

Texas
Read More

Restoring Groundwater Balance & Supply Through Community Planning

Harney County, Oregon
Read More

Kent MillerTwin Platte Natural Resource District General Manager

“This technology is a foundational element of our Water Data Program. The program allows us to provide easily accessible groundwater use data to help growers operate as efficiently as possible and maintain a healthier aquifer.”

Jim SchneiderOlsson Engineering’s Water Resources Team in Nebraska

“OpenET goes well beyond anything we have been able to do in the past to measure water consumed by crops both at the field level and at a large scale. Combining OpenET with other data on precipitation and soil moisture significantly improves water management.”

Paul InkenbrandtUtah Geological Survey Senior Geologist

“OpenET has the potential to unify and standardize our estimates of ET across the US (lower 48), which is vital for effective water agreements between the states.”

“This technology is a foundational element of our Water Data Program. The program allows us to provide easily accessible groundwater use data to help growers operate as efficiently as possible and maintain a healthier aquifer.”
Kent Miller
Kent MillerTwin Platte Natural Resource District General Manager
“Ultimately it will help us understand how much consumptive use and precipitation is occurring on a field-by-field, and a parcel-by-parcel basis. Every one of those data sources plays a role. Without all of them, we have an imperfect system. With them, we can provide a story that leads to better management of the resource.”
Jim Schneider
Jim SchneiderOlsson Engineering’s Water Resources Team in Nebraska
“OpenET represents a game-changing leap forward for water management in the West. OpenET will give water users in the Delta a much less expensive alternative method for complying with the state requirement to monitor and report on their water diversions.”
Michael George
Michael GeorgeDelta Watermaster, California State Water Resources Control Board

Learn More About OpenET Science

Data Methods

Information about the models, input datasets, and compute resources used by OpenET.

Learn More

Accuracy & Known Issues

Field-scale accuracy assessments and known issues that impact OpenET data.

Learn More

Literature & Research

Browse published papers about OpenET data and associated research.

Learn More

Filling the Biggest Data Gap
in Water Management

As we expand globally, our mission remains the same: deliver open, reliable, and actionable water data—developed with users, for users.

Data Explorer
OpenET API
FARMS Tool