The 2017 Scientific and Technical Advancement Award goes to the Research Applications Laboratory nomination titled “National Water Model: Research to Operations to Research” by David Gochis and team members for their development of the National Water Model – the first operational, high-resolution, hydrologic prediction model to be implemented across the continental U.S. This model is being used to track water flows across the country in order to help emergency managers, local communities, and decision makers respond to water-related and societal issues such as flooding, drought, water availability, and water quality. It is also proving itself as a valuable research tool and as a mechanism for moving research to operations.