During the 20th century, floods were the number-one natural disaster in the U.S. in terms of the number of lives lost and property damage.

We must find ways to use water more efficiently by capturing floodwaters and building infrastructure.

“Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes – one for peace and one for science.”

- John F. Kennedy

We choose to build the NSWG

Vision

We envision a nation where the sustainable fresh water needs of all people are met, where fresh water resources are managed sustainably and nature is protected, and where conflicts over water resources are resolved in a peaceful and democratic fashion via a workable solution.

The new National Smart Water Grid will capture floodwater above Actions Stage and prevent most flooding along the Mississippi River and her tributaries and the other rivers along the gulf coast of Texas. The NSWG will carry its mission into future generations by finding practical solutions through cutting-edge technologies and valuable partnerships with U.S. states and Indian tribes so as to strengthen, preserve, and protect our nation’s most precious commodity and resource.

Mission

The National Freshwater Foundation (NFF) promotes, develops, builds, and operates the National Smart Water Grid™ (NSWG). We unite with local community leaders and agencies to jointly create sustainable communities leading to a healthier country through the construction and maintenance of public infrastructures involving water works.

NFF serves the nation by conducting interdisciplinary research and partners with stakeholders to produce viable nationwide solutions to advance environmental protections, economic development and social equity.

Save Water, Save Lives.

Overview

Our aim is to find real-world solutions to problems like water shortages, habitat destruction, climate change, and provide new freshwater resources.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, we conduct research, publish books and articles, recommend solutions, partner and work with decision makers, advocacy groups, and the public to change policy.

Principles

The Environmental Policy of the National Freshwater Foundation is to do no harm and have no adverse environmental impact. New freshwater supplies should result in a healthier country and biosphere. The intent of this NSWG project is to comply with environmental laws and permits.

Values

Develop new freshwater resources for America via partnership with government entities.

Construction and maintenance of public infrastructure involving water works

The National Smart Water GridTM (NSWG) is the infrastructure that will capture floodwater above Action Stage during flood events on the Mississippi Rivers and her tributaries and from other rivers and floodwaters entering Houston, Texas and Louisiana and then pump the water to destinations of need. The NFF will utilize the NSWG to create a healthier country and sustainable communities through the construction, maintenance and operation of public/private infrastructure involving water works. The NFF conducts interdisciplinary research and will partner with stakeholders (e.g., the USACE, federal, state, tribal, and local governments that are between the capture points and the pipeline destinations) to build and operate the NSWG.

Nonprofit Foundation to Improve America's freshwater resources

The National Freshwater Foundation (NFF) proposes to build and operate the National Smart Water Grid via a partnership with the United States Army Corp of Engineers and various governments within the continental United States. The NFF, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a nonprofit origination.

The Mississippi River floods annually

The Mississippi River shown in the figures below has the third largest drainage basin in the world, exceeded in size only by the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo Rivers. It drains 41 percent of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. The basin covers more than 1,245,000 square miles (about twice the area of Alaska), includes all or parts of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, and roughly resembles a funnel which has its spout at the Gulf of Mexico. Waters from as far east as New York (via Ohio River) and as far west as Montana (via the Missouri River) contribute to flows in the lower Mississippi River.

The area of the Mississippi River is significant

The Upper Mississippi River has a series of 27 locks and dams along its course from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota to Cairo, IL that are used by the USACE to manage and control the flow of water. The Upper Mississippi River Navigation Charts prepared under the direction of the USACE document the navigation regulations for the Mississippi River above Cairo, IL. The Lower Mississippi River Navigation Charts document the Mississippi River from the Ohio River tributary (south of Cairo, IL) to the Gulf of Mexico. The navigation charts document the location of gage stations, navigation aids, transportation routes within and alongside the rivers, and significant navigation facilities including the river mile and cities along the river.

The lower alluvial valley of the Mississippi River is a relatively flat plain of about 35,000 square miles (about the area of South Carolina) bordering on the river which would be overflowed during time of high water if it were not for man-made protective works. Even with the man-made protective works, severe flooding occurs. This valley begins just below Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is roughly 600 miles in length, varies in width from 25 to 125 miles, and includes parts of seven states―Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Flooding

The USACE furnishes data on river stages and flows to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has the sole responsibility for issuing public warnings, watches, and statements on current river levels, as well as forecasts of expected flood crests. Daily river stages and flood forecasts are disseminated through local media and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, weather wire, and internet. The NOAA weather wire is used by many local emergency management and police agencies.

The flood forecasts issued by the NWS are referenced to elevation in feet above mean sea level (amsl) or to stage, which is measured as the height in feet of the river level above a reference point known as the gage datum. Since the gage datum's elevation (zero of the gage) is known, forecasts referenced to stage may be converted to elevation by adding the datum elevation to the stage reading. The normal reference used for this purpose is the NWS flood stage at each location or the project pool elevations for each lock and dam pool. With these known reference points, river interests can use the current and forecasted river stages to determine how the forecasted river level relates to local topography. NOAA uses the following terminology when describing floods.

Action Stage — water level above which flooding begins. This is the water level where freshwater capture could begin for the NSWG. Each of the following flood stages provides even more water for capture.

Minor flooding — minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat or inconvenience.

Moderate Flooding — some inundation of structures and roads near stream. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations are necessary.

Major Flooding — extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations are necessary.

Approximately 30 million people (about the population of Texas) living near the Mississippi River get their drinking water supply directly from the Mississippi River, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. River barge and large boat transportation is vital and need substantial river depth and flow of the river to navigate safely.

Change America with us for the better

You can donate to the National Freshwater Foundation and help to provide us all with additional sources of freshwater:

Send Check or Money Order to:

National Freshwater Foundation

8301 Broad Peak Drive

Las Vegas, NV 89131-4308

Donate by clicking the link!

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and are processed in U.S. dollars. The National Freshwater Foundation (employer identification number 47-4732348) is a U.S. nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) and a public charity under Section 509(a)(2) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

If you have questions, please contact us.

National Freshwater Foundation

8301 Broad Peak Drive,

Las Vegas, NV 89131-4308

+1 702 236 4399

info@natwaterfound.org

National Freshwater Foundation

Mitigating the consequences of extreme climate events.

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Change America with us for the better

If you have questions, please contact us.