Stream Flow & Water Storage

From a scientific perspective, streamflow and surface water storage are critical elements of the water cycle since they integrate all hydrologic processes (precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration, etc.) over a given basin. However, there are currently no cost-effective, reliable options for streamflow measurement, apart from in-situ methods. The IGWCO proposes to remedy this situation with a 3-phase implementation plan.

Phase I

Establishment of Hydrological Applications and Runoff Network (HARON):

• spearheaded by GEO and GTN-H
• involving upgrade of 300+ in-situ monitoring stations
• provision of data to modellers as input for model calibrations
• make use of GEO expertise for integration of diverse observing platforms

Phase II

Exploit Hydrologic Altimetry methods, notionally based on satellite and radar remote sensing systems. ESA's River & Lake Project with ENVISAT altimetry products, in conjunction with Water Elevation Recovery Missions (WatER) Mission has led to the development of River Lake Hydrology (RLH) and River Lake Altimetry (RLA) products.

• cooperation between ESA and WMO (IGWCO) to be fomalized
• ESA to support GTN-H with real-time altimetry observational data over select basins (Africa, Asia, Latin America)

Phase III

Establishment of Russian Center for Rivers and Lakes:

• monitor fluxes and residence times for 200 largest freshwater lakes