bwi

BWI’s Virtual Station approach integrates remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and machine learning to provide real-time, scalable hydrological forecasts for global water management.

Plastic pollution in rivers is a growing global crisis, with rivers like the Ganges, Yangtze, and Buriganga transporting millions of tons of waste annually into oceans. Factors such as rapid urbanization, poor waste management, and single-use plastics drive this issue, endangering ecosystems and human health.

This performance report assesses the effectiveness of BWI’s discharge forecast model for the Tarn River, specifically at the Countal outlet with a catchment area of 15969 km2, located in southern France. The Tarn River basin features dramatic elevation changes, descending from mountainous regions to the plains, and it passes through varied terrain, including limestone plateaus, deep gorges, and agricultural lowlands. Mediterranean and oceanic influences characterize the climate in the area. The summer droughts and Cévennes rains – with monsoon-like intense rainfall, result in very high peak flows. BWI’s model demonstrates strong performance on the validation dataset (NNSE = 0.72), with very well-captured baseflow and peak-flow occurrences.

In the latest performance report, we assess the effectiveness of BWI’s discharge forecast model for the Bourbre River, specifically at the Vernay outlet, which covers an area of 313 km². The drainage basin of the Bourbre river, located in southeastern France, is characterized by hills, plateaus overlooking valleys, and extensive marshes. The climate in the region is temperate, with both mountainous and continental influences due to its proximity to the Alps and the Rhône Valley. The model demonstrates strong performance on the testing dataset (NNSE = 0.73), accurately simulating baseflow. The underestimation of river discharge during summer months reflects the limited resolution of the available meteorological data.

At the 12th World General Assembly of the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), BWI had the privilege of joining global leaders in water resource management to discuss one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate-resilient basin management. Held in Bordeaux, France, this event not only marked INBO’s 30th anniversary but also offered an invaluable opportunity to learn from experts and engage in meaningful dialogue on innovative solutions for sustainable water practices.

Meetings of our Product Owner, Dr Mohamad Hamze and our Bangladeshi partners, MD Mejbah Uddin, Deputy Country Director, and Khairul Alam, Project Manager, in Bangladesh have underscored the growing importance of technology in tackling climate-related challenges. From weather monitoring innovations to flood risk reduction, these discussions have laid the foundation for finetuning of our solutions for agriculture, water management, and environmental protection.

BWI had the honor of being one of seventy exhibitors during the first edition of the CYCL’EAU trade show in Orléans. This important event, focused on water management, spanned from October 9th to October 10th, 2024. The two days allowed BWI to engage with leading innovators and solution providers in the water management sector, introducing recent, and established water management solutions.

In our latest Performance Report, we assess the effectiveness of BWI’s discharge forecast model for the Gardon River, specifically at the Pont de Russan outlet. Covering an area of 1,533.7 km², this catchment, located northwest of Nîmes, in southern France, features 362 reaches and 4 dams. The region typically experiences dry conditions with low baseflow (2-5 m³/s) but is vulnerable to sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The model demonstrates strong overall performance (NNSE 0.81), accurately simulating baseflow, flood detection, and flood recession. This performance is crucial for managing water resources, supporting early warning systems, and aiding the design of critical flood prevention infrastructure.

We’re excited to welcome Pascal Cauquil to our team as a Ground Segment Engineer. With 25 years of professional space systems experience, Pascal brings a wealth of expertise to BWI and will play a key role in advancing our upstream goals. We look forward to his enriching contributions.

We are excited to announce our participation at the upcoming “Salon des Communes et des Territoires de l’Aude”, taking place on Friday, October 11th, 2024, at the Narbonne-Arena. This event will offer a unique opportunity for local officials, public sector professionals, and businesses to connect and exchange ideas in a professional yet welcoming setting.