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A map can present accurate measurements yet still be difficult to interpret. This case study examines how user-centred design and visualisation research can improve an established environmental information tool, using the USGS WaterWatch website as its example.
WaterWatch displays water levels at streamgages to support decisions about floods, droughts, and other water-resource concerns. The researchers use a participatory process to identify a design change, develop an alternative, and test its usability through two public surveys. Their analysis focuses on replacing a rainbow colour scheme with a more intuitive diverging scheme and on the role of legends in explaining map symbols.
First published in 2025, the complete report includes its study design, results, discussion, and references. It shows how a familiar interface can be evaluated through users’ understanding, including cases where subjective preference for an existing design differs from performance with a revised one.
Michael D. Gerst; Melissa A. Kenney; Emily Read. Using Visualization Science to Inform the Design of Environmental Decision-Support Tools—A Case Study of the U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch. U.S. Geological Survey, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255085. Public domain U.S. Government publication. Original agency, author and photograph credits retained.