- 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.
See More CSS Insights
Providing Data Products for More Effective Consumption
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is responsible for providing data, products, and services that help businesses and organizations operate more efficiently and effectively. As such, these data and products need to be available in a publicly accessible and digestible format the audience are able to understand. To…
Responding to HazMat Spills
CSS supports several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campuses throughout the U.S. On-site CSS personnel are trained in hazardous material spill response and clean-up and provide this support within buildings and throughout campuses. As part of our contract with the CDC Hazardous Waste Program, CSS hazmat-trained employee owners are responsible for safely collecting,…
Rapid Reporting of a Close Call Incident
CSS Safety Protocols During a routine collection of waste, a container of white powder disintegrated without warning, causing the powder to spill and be expelled into the air. Thanks to CSS’s safety protocols and quick response, our Center for Disease Control waste disposal staff was able to assess the situation and respond to the chemical…