Terms of Reference for WMO CHy
Commission for Hydrology
President: Mr
Bruce Stewart (Australia)
OPACHE
Basic Systems
(Hydrometry and Hydraulics)
To continue the development of automated hydrometric data production procedures, including a decision-support system that:
(a) Incorporates a framework for applying Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures in
automated systems:
(b) Provides a methodology for establishing rating curves
based on hydraulic modelling;
(c) Provides an estimate of discharge and/or velocity for
systems with an unstable control that has no unique rating curve;
To review and revise the Manual on Stream Gauging;
To develop a proposal and implement a project to assess the performance of flow measurement instruments and techniques
against WMO standards; and
To assist in the development of standards, formats and protocols for data transfer.
Leader: P. Pilon (Canada)
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OPACHE
Water resources
assessment and water use
To investigate the use of modern modelling technologies to increase network effectiveness and assist in the rationalization of hydrological
networks (e.g. IAHS PUB);
To complete the preparation and publication of the manual on methodologies for
determining water resources (surface and groundwater) availability and use (state and condition), including in transboundary river basins/aquifers;
To promote the use of this manual through workshops;
To identify and document methods of assessing the water losses from reservoirs and
large lakes;
To assist in the WMO contribution to the World Water Development Report through the
provision of information on water resources (surface and groundwater) availability and use;
To assist in the development of indicators of water resources (surface and
groundwater) availability and water use;
To liaise, as necessary, with relevant areas of WMO, other UN agencies (e.g. UNESCO)
and relevant groups in relation to the above;
To promote data rescue activities when of value/benefit to the activities of
NMHSs in water resources assessment;
To review and revise the draft material provided for the Manual for Water Resources
Assessment.
Leader: A. Calver, Ms (UK)
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OPACHE Hydrological Forecasting and Prediction
Flood Forecasting, including Flash-Flood (0-12 hours) and Short-term Flood
Forecasting (0-5 days)
To continue the CHy Project on Global/Regional Short-term Flood Forecasting (in
particular in regard to the incorporation QPE and QPF in flood forecasting models);
To develop improved QPE techniques at the basin scale, involving multi-sensor
approaches, open architecture systems and providing point, gridded or sub-basin scale estimates for data sparse to data rich areas;
To compose and compile a Manual on Flood Forecasting;
To review approaches for forecasting combined storm surge and river flooding;
To review approaches for forecasting ice formation/break-up and glacier outburst;
Flood Forecasting, Medium-Long-term (>5 days)
To review current progress in, benefits from and capabilities of medium- to long-term
hydrological forecasting/seasonal forecasting (including precipitation);
To liaise with CCl on related matters;
Cross-cutting activities
To enhance product delivery through closer cooperation with NMSs;
To provide guidance and hold workshops on flood forecasting, including probabilistic
approaches;
To participate, as necessary, in HEPEX and other flood related international
activities;
To provide input to the WMO Programme on Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (NDPM).
Leader: J. Zhang ( China)
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OPACHE
Disaster Mitigation - floods and droughts
(hydrological aspects)
To promote the use of the guidelines on reducing losses associated with floods and the role of NHSs in flood disaster mitigation;
To provide advice and guidance on hydrological risk management issues of relevance to
the Commission;
To prepare a design flood estimation manual which addresses issues such as the
scarcity of data, including ungauged basins, and the potential implications of climate change;
To prepare a design low flow estimation handbook;
To provide input to the WMO Programme on NDPM;
To provide guidance on the legal and governmental frameworks as well as information
and public participation for dealing with disaster management, including the role of NHSs;
To liaise and lead CHy involvement with the associated work on flood forecasting and
the MILAC proposal;
To liaise with UNESCO, UNU EHS, IAHS and others through the WMO/UNESCO
International Flood Initiative, should it be established.
Leader: S. Demuth (Germany)
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OPACHE
Analysis of hydroclimatological data for
variability and trends
To promote the use of the Pristine River Basin criteria and the identification of
rivers basins that meet these criteria;
To liaise, as necessary, with relevant global data activities, such as for example,
GTN-H, GCOS and GEOSS;
To liaise with the IPCC Working Groups.
Leader: H. Lins (USA)
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