Laboratory analysis of a water quality sample links a lot of data to a singular point in time and space. However, the objectives for monitoring may span scales from point (e.g. at an outfall) to watershed (e.g. to characterize waters; identify trends; assess threats; inform pollution control; guide environmental emergency response; and support the development, implementation, and assessment of policies and regulations).
Hydrology Corner Blog: Blog
The Value of Uncertain Data
Evidence-based decision-making is a useful framework for the development of policies and practices to ensure water security, ecosystem resilience, and productive societies. The term “evidence-based” is gradually yielding to the term “data-driven” as focus shifts from specified data (i.e. fit-for purpose) to data discovery (i.e. big data) as the source of evidence.
A Question of Unity – Calculating the Velocity Coefficient
I was recently asked to explain why I recommend starting from a value of 1 (i.e., unity) as a first guess for the velocity coefficient for unconstrained alluvial channels. This probably does deserve an explanation (or 4) because I’ve never heard anyone else recommend the unity conjecture, in spite of the inherent elegance of such simplicity.
Have You Been Wier’d?
I was recently in South Australia doing some ratings training and learned of a tradition that I think should be shared globally amongst hydrographers. When a South Australian hydrographer gets a period of record high gauging, they get wier’d.
Strategic Recommendations for Water Monitoring for the Next 25 Years
A new report, “Future Water Priorities for the Nation: Directions for the U.S. Geological Survey Water Mission Area,” speaks to water science and resources challenges for the next 25 years. While written specifically for the Water Mission Area (WMA) for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the driving forces for change are applicable to any region of the world.
Sustainable Water Data Management in Africa
The African continent is characterized by diverse geographic features, climates, and cultures but a common denominator is that African nations are working hard to improve social stability, economic security, public health, and environmental sustainability. Solutions emerging from various political adventures seem to be evolving toward a mix of governance approaches sourced from the west (based on an ideal of democratic capitalism) and those sourced from the east (based on an ideal of progressive socialism).
Data Management: A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
The World Economic Forum has ranked the Global Risks for 2018. With the single exception of cyber-security, water is a key factor in the seven other top-ranked high-impact and high-likelihood risks.
Does More Water Data Mean Better Water Outcomes?
Water has always been important. The perception of its importance is closely linked to episodes of too much, too little, or the wrong quality. Climate change, urban growth, and agricultural intensification are just three examples of pressures that are contributing to an unprecedented global awareness of the importance of water.
Women in Water, Week 3: Onwards and Upwards
For the final week in our Women in Water series, started on International Women’s Day, we are interviewing women across the world who are dedicated to the protection of the water and the environment, and the use of technology to do so. This week, we met with Tamara Roberts, a Linko user at the City of Bloomington Utilities in Bloomington, IN, USA, and Angela Perks, an AQUARIUS user from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in New Zealand.
Women in Water, Week 2: Making a Difference
As part of our Women in Water series, started on International Women’s Day, we are interviewing women across the world who are dedicated to the protection of the water and the environment, and the use of technology to do so. This week, we met with Kirsten Adams, an AQUARIUS user at the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), and Lynn Landry, a WaterTrax user at Metro Vancouver.
Women in Water, Week 1: Paving the Way
As part of our Women in Water series, started on International Women’s Day, we are interviewing women across the world who are dedicated to the protection of the water and the environment, and the use of technology to do so. This week, we met with Donna Hollis, an AQUARIUS user from TasWater, and Alice Ohrtmann, a Linko user from Rock River Water Reclamation District.
International Women’s Day – March 8, 2018
When I started field work in the late 70s, the ratio of women to men that I knew in stream hydrography was about 1:50. The conventional wisdom at the time was that women couldn’t handle the heavy lifting involved with field work.
The Quest for Alpha
A reverse evolution in streamflow measurement technology is underway. In the beginning, stream velocity was measured by putting floats in the current and measuring the transit time of those floats over a known distance.
Happy Holidays! Our Top 5 Most Popular Posts of 2017
Happy holidays from all the contributors here at Hydrology Corner! It’s been another busy year at Hydrology Corner with many insightful and important discussions on a range of themes such as water monitoring, hydrography, data quality, and water data management.
The Need for Better Monitoring to Protect Canada’s Freshwater Resources
Canada has an abundance of freshwater. Our belief in this abundance is deeply embedded in our culture, so much so, that a recent survey shows that Canadians are not inclined to spend tax dollars on water. However, the evidence doesn’t justify our confidence.