INDEX

RISKBASE - RISK BASED MANAGEMENT OF RIVER BASINS
(Posted 14 April 2008)

The objective of RISKBASE project, funded as Coordination Action within the 6th RTD Framework Programme of the European Commission (09/2006 – 08/2009), is to review and synthesise the outcome of EC FP4-FP6 projects, and other major initiatives, related to integrated risk assessment-based management of the water/sediment/soil system at the river-basin scale.

The related measurable and verifiable RISKBASE deliverables are:

  • An overarching concept, generic approach and guiding principles to integrated risk-based management of river basins,
  • Recommendations towards evolution and implementation of risk-based management in national and community policies and towards implementation in management,
  • A proposal for the European research agenda related to risk-based management.

The primary target audience of RISKBASE are River-Basin Managers and specifically the persons responsible for the

(2nd round of) drafting of River Basin Management Plans. The 2nd RISKBASE General Assembly ‘Common System Understanding for Risk-Based management of River Basins’ and the 2nd Thematic Workshop of WP 1b ‘Bridging Science, Water Management and Practical Experiences in European River Basins’ will be held in Budapest, Hungary on 15 to 17 May 2008. Proceedings, presentations and other documents from past RISKBASE conferences and workshops are available for download from the website.

Further details on the RISKBASE General Assembly and more information on the project are available on the RISKBASE website:   (http://www.riskbase.info/)

FLOW REGIMES FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL AND NETWORK DATA (FRIEND)
Northern European FRIEND (NE–FRIEND)
(Posted 14 April 2008)

FRIEND is a cross-cutting programme that interacts with core IHP themes. IHP (International Hydrological Programme) is UNESCO’s international scientific cooperative programme in water research, water resources management, education and capacity-building. In the current phase VII of IHP (2008-2013) FRIEND’s  objective is to study the spatial and temporal variability of hydrological regimes on a European scale and in other regions outside Europe. Originally initiated in Northern Europe, FRIEND has developed into a worldwide network of similarly structured projects. Today about 140 countries in different parts of the world participate in this programme. The advanced knowledge of hydrological processes and flow regimes gained through FRIEND helps to improve methods applicable in water resources planning and management. NE-FRIEND is one of eight regional groups (sub-networks). NE-FRIEND has evolved into a network of hydrologists, who are implementing an active research programme within five scientific project groups:

    Project 1:  European Water Archive
    Project 2: Low Flow and Drought
    Project 3: Large-scale Variations in Hydrological Characteristics
    Project 4: Techniques for Extreme Rainfall and Flood Runoff Estimation
    Project 5: Catchment Hydrological and Biogeochemical Processes in a Changing Environment

For more information on the programme, meetings and publications visit the NE-FRIEND website:
(http://ne-friend.bafg.de/servlet/is/7397/)

TOWARDS EFFECTIVE RIVER BASIN PLANS
IWRM-NET JOINT CALL FOR RESEARCH
(Posted 17 December 2007)

IWRM-NET first joint call is a trans-national initiative funding by IWRM-NET partners. After a year and a half, IWRM-NET partners have agreed on a common research programme dealing with Integrated Water Resource Management within the context of the Water Framework Directive implementation. The focus of this call is applied research to support development of the 2015 river basin plans. IWRM-NET wishes to develop a series of case studies, which include field testing and applications that can be used by river basin managers across Europe. Trans-national collaborative research projects will be directed to the following two topics:

  • Hydrological and morphological pressures and impacts on ecological status
  • Water Governance

The research period is limited to a maximum of 24 months between 2008 and 2010. Deadline for submission of applications: February 28 2008

For details visit the IWRM-NET website:
(http://www.iwrm-net.org/spip.php?rubrique43)