The "Water Research Optimization Act of 2025" aims to significantly enhance the capabilities and coordination of federal water research and forecasting. It formally establishes the National Water Center (NWC) within the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather Service. A key new function for the NWC is to lead the transition of federal water research, including model development, into operational use by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service.

The bill expands the NWC's role as the primary center within NOAA for research, development, collaboration, and coordination of water research and forecast activities. This coordination extends to other federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Furthermore, the NWC is tasked with integrating and promoting consistency among national and regional hydrological forecast operations and service delivery.

To support these efforts, the Under Secretary is directed to use the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System to develop and implement advanced water resources modeling capabilities, incorporating them into the unified forecast system. The bill also mandates that the Under Secretary, through the Office of Water Prediction, supervise and oversee the administration and operations of each River Forecast Center and coordinate their activities with the NWC. Additionally, it requires the administration of NOAA's duties related to the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, ensuring its activities are coordinated with the National Water Center.

Finally, the legislation extends the authorization for certain activities under the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 to cover fiscal years 2026 through 2030, providing continued support for these enhanced water research and operational efforts.