CHy activities in "Water, climate and risk management"

[Giacomo Teruggi]

This note describes the work plan in the ‘Water, climate and risk management’ theme which was discussed at CHy XIII in November 2008 and further detailed at the Advisory Working Group meeting in February 2009.

In order to achieve such programmes we are, in all themes, highly dependent on the efforts and inputs of hydrologists throughout CHy.

I therefore request and very much welcome offers of help you can provide in order to advance these activities for the wider benefit of members. If you wish to discuss any points, do contact me.

______________________________________________________________


Activity relating to climate-sensitive stations and analysis of their data

In the previous inter-sessional period work was undertaken on establishing definitions of ‘pristine’ basins as a basis for investigating whether or not trends in river flows were apparent in the absence or near-absence of management intervention, focusing attention therefore on climate effects. Basins were identified in all WMO Regions: of these, over 600 catchments have data held in the Global Runoff Data Centre. The work was undertaken by Mr Harry Lins and his report is to be found in an information paper for CHy-XIII at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/hwrp/chy/ ... eport.html in the English and French language versions (paragraphs 43-45).

Papers analysing such data include:
Kundzewicz, Z. W., Graczyk, D., Maurer, T., Pinskwar, I, Radziejewski, M., Svensson, C. and Szwed, M. 2005 Trend detection in river flow series: 1 Annual maximum flow. Hydrological Sciences Journal 50(5), 797-810.
Lins, H. F. 2005 Observed trends in hydrological cycle components. Section 197 in Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences, ed M. G. Anderson, Wiley.
Svensson, C., Kundzewicz, Z. W. and Maurer, T. 2005 Trend detection in river flow series: 2 Flood and low-flow index series. Hydrological Sciences Journal 50(5), 811-824.

Whilst recognising that other data sets have and are being analysed for possible trends in river discharge and other hydrological variables, we draw attention to the fact that this pristine basin data set is available as a resource for CHy members and colleagues and we welcome its use. We would be pleased to be informed of the findings of work undertaken on such pristine basins so that we can bring it to the attention of others.

______________________________________________________________


Activity relating to liaison within WMO and with other organizations [such as UNESCO, UNEP, IAHR and IAHS] with regard to ‘Water, climate and risk management’ activities

I shall be liaising with other UN areas over their work in the ‘Water, climate and risk management’ field. I am supported by the Hydrology and Water Resources Branch Secretariat and we believe we are aware of the main UN areas of endeavour. Should you wish to inform us of any important links with the work of organisations beyond WMO in the context of this CHy theme, I’d be grateful if you would contact me with the name of the organisation, the chief contact and the nature of the work so that I can explore synergies with the CHy agenda. There is an advantage in hearing of such linkages as soon as possible.

______________________________________________________________


Activity relating to climate information requirements of water resources managers for operations, long-term planning and design

I am drawing together a short report on technical needs of the water industry in terms of climate information from the points of view of hydrological analysts, field managers and policy makers. We have material from the meeting held in Geneva in July 2007. I invite your views and contributions via this forum or to me directly by 1 September 2009. At the same time it seems useful to also consider drawing together water information advantageous to climate scientists and your comments are similarly welcomed on this.


Ann Calver
9 June 2009