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Using Visualization Science to Inform the Design of Environmental Decision-Support Tools—A Case Study of the U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5085
Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255085

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Abstract

Environmental decision-support tools are increasingly being used to serve both expert and non-expert audiences. Many existing tools are primarily expert-focused, and redesigning them can be challenging because experts and non-experts interact with tools differently, existing users may be resistant to changes, and there is little guidance on how to prioritize redesign efforts and demonstrate their efficacy. In this report, we present a case study of a user-centered redesign of an established environmental decision-support tool—the U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch. WaterWatch supports flood, drought, and other water resource management decisions through the display of water levels at gages across the United States. Using a participatory process, we identified a functional change (replacing the existing rainbow colormap), created an alternative design, and tested the alternative’s usability through two general public surveys. The results showed that replacing the rainbow colormap with a more intuitive diverging colormap improves usability, regardless of the audience’s subjective preference for the rainbow color scheme. In addition, we demonstrated the importance of using legends to improve the audience’s understanding of the map symbols. This study demonstrates how user-centered design approaches can be used to inform the design of high-profile products and tools.

Suggested Citation

Gerst, M.D., Kenney, M.A., and Read, E., 2025, Using visualization science to inform the design of environmental decision-support tools—A case study of the U.S. Geological Survey Waterwatch: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5085, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255085.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Using visualization science to inform the design of environmental decision-support tools—A case study of the U.S. Geological Survey Waterwatch
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5085
DOI 10.3133/sir20255085
Publication Date December 23, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) WMA - Integrated Information Dissemination Division
Description vi, 17 p.
Country United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details