Interbasin water transfers in the United States and Canada

Interbasin water transfers (IBTs) can have a significant impact on the environment, water availability, and economies within the basins importing and exporting water, as well as basins downstream of these water transfers. The lack of comprehensive data identifying and describing IBTs inhibits understanding of the role IBTs play in supplying water for society, as well as their collective hydrologic impact. We develop three connected datasets inventorying IBTs in the United States and Canada, including their features, geospatial details, and water transfer volumes. We surveyed the academic and gray literature, as well as local, state, and federal water agencies, to collect, process, and verify IBTs in Canada and the United States. Our comprehensive IBT datasets represent all known transfers of untreated water that cross subregion (US) or subdrainage area (CA) boundaries, characterizing a total of 641 IBT projects. The infrastructure-level data made available by these data products can be used to close water budgets, connect water supplies to water use, and better represent human impacts within hydrologic and ecosystem models.

Automated summary

Interbasin water transfers (IBTs) have significant impacts on the environment, water availability, and economies in importing and exporting basins, as well as downstream basins. Data on IBTs is lacking, hindering understanding of their role in water supply and hydrologic impact. This study develops comprehensive datasets inventorying IBTs in the US and Canada, providing detailed information on features, geospatial details, and water transfer volumes. These datasets can be used to improve water management, connect water supplies to use, and enhance understanding of human impacts on hydrology and ecosystems.