Role of WMO in the Field of Hydrology and Water Resources

World Meteorological Organization weather, climate and water

“ WATER AVAILABILITY ENHANCMENT PROJECT”

Consultation Meeting

4- 6 May 2010 Vienna, AUSTRIA

WMO: Climate and Water www.wmo.int

WMO

Mohamed Tawfik,

Chief Division, Basic System in Hydrology

Climate & Water Department (WMO)

Role of WMO in the Field of Hydrology

and Water Resources

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

Structure

Hydrology and Water Resources Prog.

WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT

Definitions

Needs & Requirements

WMO contribution

WHYCOS PROGRAMME

Background & Objectives

Development process & Projects

Guidelines & Web Portal

Presentation Structure

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

Structure

Hydrology and Water Resources Prog.

PART - I

■Co-ordinates global scientific activities to

allow increasingly prompt and accurate

weather and water resources information for

national, regional and international users.

■ Successful policy of free and unrestricted

exchange of meteorological data.

■ Stressing the need for freely sharing

hydrological information.

World Meteorological Organization

(WMO)

Organizational Structure of WMO

CONGRESS

Executive Council

Regional Associations Technical Commissions

Working Groups

Rapporteurs

Working Groups

Rapporteurs

Other Bodies

JSC-WCRP , IPCC

JSTC-GCOS

Working Groups

Panel of Experts

Secretary-General Secretariat

WMO- Regional Associations

R.A. I

Africa

R.A.III

South America

R.A. V

South-West Pacific

R.A. VI

Europe

R.A. IV

North and

Central

America

R.A. II

Asia

Basic Commissions ◆Commission for Basic Systems (CBS)

◆ Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observations (CIMO)

◆ Commission for Hydrology (CHy)

◆ Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS)

WMO - Technical Commissions

Applications Commissions ◆ Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM)

◆ Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM)

◆ Commission for Marine Meteorology (CMM)

◆ Commission for Climatology (CCl)

Role of WMO in the field of

Hydrology and Water Resources

Hydrology and

Water Resources Programme

WMO Convention

"to promote activities in operational

hydrology and close co-operation between

Meteorological and Hydrological Services"

Art: 2(e):

Role of WMO in the field of


Concentrates on promoting world-wide

cooperation in evaluation of water resources and

development of hydrological networks and

services

Concerned with the assessment of quantity and

quality of water resources

Standardization of all aspects of hydrological

observations and organized transfer of

hydrological techniques

Hydrology and Water Resources Programme

Programme on Basic Systems in

Hydrology (including WHYCOS)

Programme on Hydrological Forecasting

and Applications

Programme on Capacity Building in


(including HOMS)

Programme on Water-related Issues

Hydrology and Water Resources Programme

World Hydrologic Cycle Observation System

WHYCOS is conceived as a tool for improving the collection, dissemination and use of high quality, standardized and consistent hydrological and related data at the national, river basin, regional and international levels.

Integrated Flood Management

FIVE Guiding principles:

• River Basin as a management unit

• Risk management principles

• Mix of Structural and non-structural measures

• Multi-hazard approach

• Building societal resilience

FOUR OBJECTIVES:

•Minimize loss of life,

•Optimize effective use of flood plains

•Sustainable development

•Environmental Preservation

Quality Management Framework

• Hydrological Standards and Regulations

• Measurement Procedures

• Standardisation of new Technological

processes

• Equipment calibration

• Procedure for data processing

• Safety considerations

Guide to Hydrological Practices and

Technical Regulations

Guide to Hydrological Practices and

Technical Regulations

As a general principle, the Technical Regulations set out the standards of hydrological practices which NHSs should implement and the Guide to Hydrological Practices describes the methods needed to implement the recommended practices.

Metadata base does not contain or

handle actual hydrological data;

It is designed to facilitate dissemination

of continually updated hydrological

information;

It was formally inaugurated in 1987

with the publication of the INFOHYDRO

Manual;

Efforts are made to update this

database about every five years.

The Hydrological Information Referral Service

INFOHYDRO

INDIVIDUAL

LEVEL

INSTITUTIONAL

LEVEL

ENABLING

ENVIRONMENT

EDUCATION

TRAINING

HR DEVELOPMENT

NETWORK

QUALITY MGMNT.

DEVELOPMENT OF

LEGISLATION

POLICIES, FUNDS

KNOWLEDGE

ATTITUDE

INCENTIVES

SUSTAINABILITY

SKILLS

Behaviour (Confidence)

Service

Delivery

Water

Sector

Performance

STANDARD

PROCEDURES

CAPACITY BUILDING

STAKEHOLDERS

FORUM

Hydrological Operational Multipurpose System

HOMS is WMO System for Technology

Transfer in Operational Hydrology

User-oriented approach to solving WR

problems.

The system consist of various

components proven operationally

successful and used by NHMS.

HOMS

HOMS components

Network design

Data collection, processing

and storage

Hydrological modeling

Best practice for hydrologic

forecasting and WRM.

Manuals and guidance material

Training material

HOMS Reference Manual (HRM)

A catalogue (HOMS

Reference Manual) is

available.

Each item entered into

the Reference Manual is

identified as a component

or series of components.

The Manual is presently

available on the Internet

or in diskette.

ISO Technical

Stakeholder

Groupings

NGOs Inter-

Governmental

Agencies

Non-

Government

Agencies

UN Water

Agencies

HWR

of

WMO

River Basins

Regional

Economic

Groups

UNESCO

UNEP WHO

UNICEF

UN-HABITAT IAEA

UN-DESA ISDR

WWC

GWP

IAHS ICID

ICOLD

IAHR

UNDP UNIDO

UNU FAO

NBA

MRC

ICI

Maintains WMO's

important role in

international

activities relating to

water-resource

assessment and

hydrological

forecasting and the

Organization's

collaboration with

other agencies

within the UN

system.

Water-related Issues

PART - II

WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT

Definitions

Needs & Requirements

WMO contribution

Definitions

Water resources: Water available, or

capable of being made available, for use in

sufficient quantity and quality at a location

and over a period of time appropriate for

an identifiable demand

Water resource assessment:

Determination of the sources, extent,

dependability and quality of water

resources for their utilization and control

(International Glossary of Hydrology, WMO-UNESCO)

Need for Water Resources Assessment (WRA)

Growing concern for the environment and the concept of

sustainable development

Increasing pressure on the available world’s water

resources, both in quantity and quality

Expanding requirements for hydrological data,

products and for the planning, management and

protection of freshwater resources

Water Resources Assessment

Freshwater resources are scarce and vulnerable

Allocation among competing uses

Ecologically sustainable development

Need to account for economic and social development

Need to account for perspective impacts of climate change

You can’t manage what you don’t know

Need for Water Resources Assessment

National Hydrological Services (NHSs)


Information for Water Managers

Assessment of Water Related Hazards

Hydrological Forecasting

First step for WRA is to assess the National Capability!

WRA Is National Responsibility

National capabilities for WRA

Institutional Framework

Manpower, education and training

Data

Infrastructures

Requirements

Institutional Framework

Administrative – legal framework

Water policy and legislation

Relation between various institutions concerned by WR

Public – private relations

Planning

International cooperation

Research

Manpower, Education and Training

Staff level and motivation

Formal educational curricula (high

school and university) and non formal

education (observers)

In service training

WMO Data Exchange Policy

Committed to broadening and

enhancing, whenever possible, the

free and unrestricted international

exchange of hydrological data and

products, in consonance with the

requirements for WMO’s scientific

and technical programmes

WMO resolutions 40 and 25

• Res. 40 (Cg-XII) 1995 - WMO policy and practice for the

exchange of meteorological and related data and products.

“Members shall provide on a free and unrestricted basis essential

data and products which are necessary for the provision of

services in support of the protection of life and property and

the well being of all the nations…”

• Res 25 (Cg-XIII) 1999 - Exchange of hydrological data and

products.

“Members shall provide on a free and unrestricted basis those

hydrological data and products which are necessary for the

provision of services in support of the protection of life and

property and the well being of all the nations…”

WMO resolutions 40 and 25

Members should also provide:

– Additional data and product for WMO

programmes and projects and for the provision

of other services;

– Free and unrestricted access to data and

products to the research and education

communities;

Members have the right to put conditions on

the re-export, for commercial purposes of

data and products;

Close links with GRDC, IGRAC,IHE

Global Run off Data Centre

(GRDC)

The Global Data Runoff Centre (GRDC), established in 1988, operates under the auspices of WMO and is supported by, and located in, the Federal Institute of Hydrology in Koblenz, Germany. The principal objective of the Centre is to facilitate and optimize the information exchange of stream flow data world-wide. The GRDC database contains contributions from over 140 countries, and includes the data from hydrometric gauging stations located in various river basins. The quality and reliability of the contributed data is verified before entry into the database. The GRDC has the capability to provide interpreted hydrological information and does so for many organizations, such as those of the UN system, and for research projects. (http://www.wmo.ch/web/homs/grdchome.html).

COOPERATION WITH OTHER WMO BODIES AND

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

IN PROJECTS RELATED TO HYDROLOGY

WMO/ UN agencies / IGOs and NGOs

WMO maintains close co-operation with a number of agencies within the

UN system, international river basin commissions, other IGOs NGOs.

WMO cooperate with the World Water Council

WMO’s links with the Global Water Partnership has resulted to the

establishment of Associated Programme on Flood Management

“WMO/GWP Associated Programme on Flood Management-APFM”.

At the regional level WMO is co-operating with SADC, IGAD, ACMAD,

NBA, NBI, LCBC and UNECA. WMO has established Memoranda of

Understanding with some of them, which set out the areas of co-operation.

WMO has continued its co-operation with other international

organizations including UNESCO, UNEP, IAEA, FAO,…..

The working agreement between WMO and UNESCO

“an efficient mechanism for co-ordination”

WMO/UNESCO “International Glossary of Hydrology”.

WMO/UNESCO“Water Resources Assessment-

Handbook for Evaluation of National Capabilities

With the government of the Netherlands supported the

establishment of the International Groundwater Resources

Assessment Centre (IGRAC)

WMO/UNEP support IPCC

WMO/IAEA “ International workshop on Groundwater”

COOPERATION WITH OTHER WMO BODIES AND

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

IN PROJECTS RELATED TO HYDROLOGY


Handbook for Review of National Capabilities.

WMO /UNESCO initiative published in 1998

The Handbook is available in the six UN languages

Available in WMO Home Page on the Internet.

Series of Regional training of trainers Workshops

were organized to introduce the methodology described

in the handbook.

National workshops were also organized

Strong recommendation for developing another manual

for assessing the resources

WMO and UNESCO are working closely in developing

« Manual on Water Resources Assessment »

PART - III

WHYCOS PROGRAMME

Background & Objectives

Development process & Projects

Guidelines & Web Portal

WHYCOS

World

Hydrological

Cycle

Observing

System

At the global level, there is:

“concern that at a time when more precise

and reliable information is needed about

water resources, Hydrological Services and

related bodies are less able than before to

provide this information, especially

information on groundwater and water

quality”.

(UNCED, 1992)

1) Determining how much water is available at the scale

where decisions are made

2) Determining how much water is used (e.g., by ecosystems,

humans)

3) Providing better predictions of water supply

4) Evaluating options (e.g. conservation) and implementing

policies and programs to achieve regional objectives

THE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE

TO MEET THE CHALANGES

credible data are required for analysis of potential change

common criteria need to be adopted

quality of data is an important aspect

local expertise is required for screening

Need for Credible Data

Need for Capacity Building

Insufficient data

Data Quality problems

Decline of Monitoring systems

Data archives inadequate

Lack of qualified staff

Lack of financial resources

WHYCOS The Problem !

Modern technology

Regional projects

National and Regional Databases

Capacity building

Ownership

Financial support

Solution

WMO RESPONSE

In response to the recommendation of

Agenda 21 chapter 18 and the

recommendations of UNDP/WB project

on Hydrological Assessment for Sub-

Saharan countries, and to meet the

Management challenge, WMO developed

the WHYCOS concept in 1993

WHAT IS WHYCOS

A system for building the capacity of water resources management at the national, river basin, regional and global levels

Aims at promoting cooperation in the collection, transmission, processing, archiving and use of hydrological data and information

WHYCOS address the needs and requirements of the

basins like integrated management of the water resources,

flood forecasting, water quality monitoring, etc.

OBJECTIVES

Long term

Strengthen regional and international cooperation.

Establish a global network of key national stations.

Support Research and Climate Change Adaptation

Short term Strengthen technical and institutional

capabilities of hydrological services.

Promote and facilitate dissemination and use

of water-related information

Better understanding of global hydrological cycle;

Improved knowledge on the status and trends of the

world's freshwater resources,

Understanding hydrological variability, detect climate

change, and predict impacts of climate change,

Strengthen cooperation between NHS’s and NMS’s.

Strengthen regional cooperation

WHYCOS CONTRIBUT TO

WHYCOS SUPPORT AND IMPROVE

water resources data and information

its availability,

its accuracy, and

its dissemination

For

Integrated water resources management

Water resources assessment

Flood forecasting and warning

Groundwater monitoring and assessment

Water quality monitoring

WHYCOS STRUCTURE

WHYCOS consists of a number of different components, each independently implemented and responsive to national and regional/basin needs.

WHYCOS DEVELOPMENT STAGES

Request stage (Countries, Regional bodies)

Concept stage (Countries, Regional bodies, WMO)

Proposal stage (Countries, Regional bodies, WMO, Donors)

Project Implementation stage

Preparatory stage (Countries, Regional bodies, WMO, Donors)

Field implementation (Countries, Regional bodies, WMO, Donors)

Maintenance and operation (Countries)

Information System

Improving National and Regional data

collection systems

Establishing National and Regional Data

Banks

Preparation of information (products)

Dissemination of Information

Environmental variables Frequency of measurement per day 1. Water level 1 to 6 (depending on size of river) 2. Water pH 1 3. Water conductivity 1 4. Water temperature 1 5. Dissolved oxygen 1 6. Turbidity 1 7. Air temperature 8 (synoptic hours) 8. Rainfall 24, plus daily total 9. Relative humidity 8 (synoptic hours) 10. Wind speed 8 (synoptic hours) 11. Net radiation 8 (synoptic hours)

Housekeeping variables Frequency of measurement per day 12. Battery voltage 1 13. Solar panel voltage 1 14. Memory status 1

15. Temperature inside instrument housing

1

List of variables which could be provided by a DCP

Developing Products and Information

Data Interpretation

Data Storage Retrieval and Dissemination


Planning and Strategy Development

Forecasting and Warning

Hydrological Predictions and Forecasting

Data and Information for IWRM

Use of Satellite Data and Information

GIS technology for assessment of water resources and flood risk assessment

Satellite monitoring of Earth Observation Parameters

Use of Numerical Weather Predictions in hydrological prediction

International Water Initiative and WHYCOS

Improve water governance

capacity building and awareness

Improved efficiency and effectiveness of water

management including WRA

Strengthen cooperation through promoting river

basin approaches

WHYCOS & Capacity Building

FOCUS ON TRAINING

The Training programme for any HYCOS

Component compose of nine modules (9).

Each training module, the training is carried

out in two stages:

Training of trainers at the Project

Regional Centre.

Training of staff of the NHSs in

each country by the national trainers.


Ø M1: Limnimetry and Topographic Survey

Ø M2: Flow Measurements with ADCP and with Current Meter

Ø M3: Establishment of Rating Curves

Ø M4: Installation and Management of Electronic DCPs

Ø M5: Data Base Management and Computer Science

Ø M6: Groundwater monitoring and assessment

M7: Water quality

Ø M8: Web Site Maintenance and Development of Hydrological

Products

Ø M9: Modelling and Flood Forecasting

Ø M10: The use of Satellite Information for Planning and Management

of Water Resources


Implementation Experiences

The ownership of the WHYCOS programme and its regional

components should remain within WMO.

Countries should have ownership of implemented projects.

WHYCOS Guidelines and web page is an essential

HYCOS components should be demand driven addressing

the needs of the basin/ region

River/lake basin approach is recommended

Capacity building should be a major element in the

implementation of any HYCOS project

Guidelines

Assist WHYCOS partners in developing and implementing the HYCOS components.

Ensure Each project remains consistent with the WHYCOS objectives while responding to local needs, realities, and changing situations.

Provide Guidance to partners on:

Main stages of project development

Roles of different partners

How to govern, monitor and evaluate HYCOS projects.

Governance and Management

Policy issues

Sustainability

Project Outputs

Guidelines

Available in English, French and Spanish

WHYCOS Web Portal

Purpose

To establish links between different WHYCOS components

Exchange experience among various projects.

Access to Web based data and information systems of HYCOS

components

Provides

Overview of the WHYCOS programme

Platform for quality management framework

Capacity building network

WHYCOS Web Portal

WWW. WHYCOS. Org

Curent Statuas

Four (4) Projects completed implementation phase

Six (7) Project in final stage of implementation

Six (6) Projects under various development statges

Several Regional and National training courses

WHYCOS Guidelines available (E-F-S)

WHYCOS web-page online

Thirty seven (37) LDCs are participating in the

programme

Over WHYCOS the SUN Never Sets

Conclusions

Water issues are addressed by

every one

Each organization has its

expertise in specific area in Water

Cooperation and collaboration

among agencies is needed

WWW. WMO. int

WWW. HYCOS. org

The end

Documents

Role of WMO in the Field of Hydrology and Water Resources