A multi-laboratory Department of Energy (DOE) team (Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory) has begun investigating hydrometeorological processes at the Whitewater sub-basin of the Walnut River Watershed in Kansas. This new study is applying coupled models that simulate linked atmospheric, land surface, and hydrologic processes to resolve water cycle dynamics. An important new study element is the introduction of isotopic budget equations into mesoscale and hydrologic modeling. Two research questions have been formulated:

1. Can the predictability of the regional water balance be improved using high-resolution model simulations that are constrained and validated using new water isotope and hydrospheric water measurements?

2. Can water isotopic tracers be used to segregate different global-to-local pathways through the water cycle and predict a change in regional climate patterns?

The study design and initial measurement and model results are reported. Highlights of the 10-year DOE Water Cycle Strategic Plan is also provided in this poster presentation.