How to make the most out of river discharge data and forecasts?

In a world where most activities are dependent on water, river water discharge information can be used to solve a wide variety of issues across numerous domains.

Before we jump in to the topic of how we could utilise river water discharge forecasts, have you ever wondered how our lives would be like without water? (of course, we are not talking about the fact that we need to drink water to survive ^^). Water forms the basis of almost everything we come across or do in our daily lives whether we realize it or not. From the most mundane activities like brushing our teeth, taking a shower, and making food, to the more advanced applications like hydro-power, water plays an integral part of our very existence.

On a different note, several natural disasters are water-related. When you take into account phenomena like flooding and droughts, it invokes a sense of unease, isn’t it? With the advent of technology and the amount of data we have access to in the modern world, is there something we can do to make our lives even easier? Especially in terms of reliance and predictability.

River water plays an indispensable part in our society when it comes to its diverse uses in the domains of agriculture, transportation, energy production, and other water-sensitive sectors. Therefore, measuring and predicting river discharge has a significant impact on how these activities work. In addition, it would help governments deal with natural disasters more adequately.

Let’s go take a deeper look at how we can make the most out of river water discharge forecasts!

Examples of domains where river discharge data is of great help: 

Hydro-power: Discharge data helps hydro-power plants run more efficiently. Operators can ensure efficient power output by syncing the dam releases with electricity demand by forecasting river flow. Moreover, they can be less vulnerable to potential disruptions in trends.

Learn more about how to utilise BWI’s service for hydro-power plants

Environmental research: Environmental organizations could make use of discharge rate data to track and evaluate the condition of river ecosystems. They might also monitor the subsequent effects of water flow with respect to the requirements of different aquatic organisms. Besides, this data would be of great use to engineers when assessing the condition of rivers.

Insurance firms: River water discharge data and forecasts help insurance firms assess flood risk. By having an idea about potential flooding events, insurance companies can assess and control the risks linked to insuring properties in flood-prone regions.  

Read more about how you could use water-centric data for Insurers and risk handlers

Water-based activities/Sports: Event organizers of water-based sports can utilize river discharge data to assess the suitability of conditions for activities such as kayaking, and rafting.

Governments, and NGOs: To plan and promptly address any natural disasters such as flooding. This could potentially save countless lives. NGOs could also make use of such data to create awareness in rural areas.

Learn more about BWI’s forecasting services for public authorities

Food Industry and Agriculture: Water is needed for irrigation in agriculture. Data on river water discharge help farmers plan irrigation schedules so that time and resources are used as efficiently as possible. However, food companies may utilize this information to ensure seamless operations across their whole supply chain.

Infrastructure: Engineers could use discharge data in the architecture domain to design and manage projects like dams and bridges. Analyzing river water flow is essential for constructing durable infrastructure that can resist fluctuations in water levels, which is quite natural.

Water-treatment and related services: River water discharge forecasting is of great importance concerning optimizing water treatment and related services. They allow treatment plants to fine-tune their operations based on the predicted water flow. Moreover, they also aid in reservoir management, and environmental assessments.

As we could see, water is a crucial input for water-dependent services and sectors. Nevertheless, it could also be a risk factor in relation to climate change. By utilizing technology and the sheer amount of data accessible in the modern world, we can improve our ability to anticipate and deal with water-related challenges. To sum it up, river discharge forecasts help industries to operate more efficiently. Moreover, they also enable governments and NGOs to respond promptly to natural disasters. Therefore, they aid greatly in contributing to a better and safer world. 

River discharge forecasts are increasingly relevant in our current society