The Early Warning System: an additional decision-support tool
BWI offers three forecasting horizons: at 1, 3, and 10 days. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt anticipation to the need, whether it is an immediate reaction to an imminent risk, short-term operational planning, or medium-term strategic management.
The system allows alerts to be configured according to two logics: on the one hand, the crossing of a specific value (a flow threshold above which a flood risk is detected, or below which resource stress appears); on the other hand, the crossing of an hourly variation threshold (a sharp increase or decrease in flow within one hour). This dual approach offers maximum precision and adaptability to address different types of hydrological risks (floods, water resource stress requiring the issuance of drought decrees).
Users can choose to receive their alerts by email, SMS, or voice message (the latter two as options), according to their preferences and operational needs. This diversity of channels ensures fast and reliable transmission of information, even in emergency situations.
Each alert includes a precise characterization of the intensity and duration of the event. This information makes it possible to assess the severity of the situation and adjust the response accordingly.
The system automatically delivers analytical bulletins, providing a clear and concise overview of the hydrological situation. These regular reports facilitate decision-making and the sharing of information among stakeholders.
The data and alerts are updated twice a day, ensuring near real-time monitoring. This frequent updating guarantees optimal responsiveness to incidents and rapid changes in river conditions.
Operation process of BWI’s early warning system
The system is configured to meet your needs: setting river flow thresholds (floods, droughts, rapid changes) and creating distribution lists tailored to your teams or partners. This preparation ensures that the alerts are relevant and effective.
Ten days before, the first trends are identified and reported. This stage makes it possible to anticipate a potentially critical situation and to prepare the first vigilance measures.
As the event approaches, forecasts become more detailed and precise. Two daily updates make it possible to track developments in real time, while anticipating the duration and intensity of the hydrological episode.
Whether it involves floods or the end of a drought period (or the decision to issue a drought decree), the alerts act as an additional — albeit digital — “sensor” at the service of decision-makers.
On the day of the event, continuous data provide information on the exact development of the situation. This responsiveness ensures optimal management of crisis or evacuation actions and real-time adaptation to the simulated hydrological conditions.
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