Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner for research in regional water-availability assessments for the Illinois River Basin. The project aims to develop and evolve nationally integrated assessment and prediction capacity and applications. The research will focus on the initial MODFLOW 6 groundwater flow model developed for the Illinois River Basin, including finalizing, publishing, and extending use for the simulation of subsurface nitrate. The project has the following objectives: * Published Scientific Investigations Report (SIR) and data/model release of MODFLOW groundwater flow model for the Illinois River Basin * Provide quarterly updates with shared presentations, including annual meetings * Draft Open-File Report (OFR) or a BAO-approved preprint of a proof-of-concept nitrate groundwater model for the Illinois River Basin, along with a data/model release of the model. Some key aspects of the project include: * The project will bring together scientists from the USGS and a CESU-affiliated partner * The research will focus on regional water-availability assessments for the Illinois River Basin * The project has a total estimated funding of $50,000 and a project period of 15 months