- Success Stories
- Satellite Science & Environmental Intelligence
Supporting the Mississippi River Basin Drought and Water Dashboard Development
Congratulations to NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) on the launch of the Mississippi River Basin Drought and Water Dashboard. This dashboard provides crucial, timely information to support decision-making for those living and working in the basin, which spans 31 states and 40 percent of the contiguous U.S. The team created the dashboard to curate data from across the government, offer customizable maps and images, and provide context on drought impacts. The new dashboard was officially launched at the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative annual meeting on September 17, 2025.
In support of the CSS-Riverside contract with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), CSS-Riverside staff and partners with ISciences, LLC collaborated with NOAA’s National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Geological Survey, state and local government agencies, and industry organizations. The project progressed from initial development and design, including a customized page menu and various map configurations, to multiple feedback sessions with stakeholders and partners. The teams incorporated this feedback to refine the dashboard’s design, content, and functionality. While navigating this process, the team also tackled several technical challenges, such as migrating server operating systems and addressing a variety of data processing and web-rendering issues to ensure the dashboard’s smooth operation.
The development team diligently worked to build a robust and user-friendly product. The group divided their talents and skills for front and back-end development. Front end development focused on creating and refining the website’s components, including map interfaces and a custom floating menu for the dashboard. Back-end development involved robust data processing, containerization, and server migration efforts to ensure reliable data streams, and a stable operational environment. The team’s cohesiveness, efficiency and attention to detail resulted in a dynamic and comprehensive resource for drought and water information.
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Emergency Response Support for the Republican National Convention
CSS employee owners on contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Portable High-throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification System — a mobile analytical unit known as PHILIS — provided emergency response support for the 2024 Republican National Convention. PHILIS mobile laboratory units are designed to provide onsite analysis of environmental conditions, including air and soil samples, contaminated…
Supporting Response Efforts Following California Fires
Following the fires that devastated Los Angeles, California and surrounding areas in January 2025, CSS employee owners were deployed to the area as a subcontractor to Weston Solutions, Inc. to assist with the response. This effort supports U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Superfund Technical Assessment & Response Team (START) program. Initially, a CSS…
Assisting South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network
CSS employee owner and Marine Mammal Microplastic Specialist supporting NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science assists the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network in responding to dead marine mammals when they strand on beaches or estuaries throughout South Carolina. This is work is critical for human and environmental health because it provides invaluable samples…