The membership of these OPACHE is open to all the experts, who can register through the Permanent Representative with WMO of the country of residence of the expert. An electronic application form can be downloaded here.
The terms of reference of the individual OPACHE are as follows:
Basic Systems (Hydrometry and Hydraulics)
List of Activities
(a) To continue the development of automated hydrometric data production procedures, including a decision-support system that:
- Incorporates a framework for applying Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures in automated systems;
- Provides a methodology for establishing rating curves based on hydraulic modelling; and
- Provides an estimate of discharge and/or velocity for systems with an unstable control that has no unique rating curve;
(b) To review and revise the Manual on Stream Gauging;
(c) To develop a proposal and implement a project to assess the performance of flow measurement instruments and techniques against WMO standards; and
(d) To assist in the development of standards, formats and protocols for data transfer.
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Identification and documentation of agreed international standards for the hydrometric and hydraulic activities of NMHSs;
(b) A revised version of the Manual on Stream Gauging in support of the role of NMHSs in discharge measurement;
(c) Identification (hardware) and development (software) of technology to support the required needs of NMHSs in discharge measurement and estimation; and
(d) Standards, formats and protocols for the transference of hydrological data and information.
Water Resources Assessment and Water Use
List of activities
(a) To investigate the use of modern modelling technologies to increase network effectiveness and assist in the rationalization of hydrological networks (e.g. IAHS PUB);
(b) 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;
(c) To promote the use of this manual through workshops;
(d) To identify and document methods of assessing the water losses from reservoirs and large lakes;
(e) 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 including the development of indicators;
(f) To promote "data rescue" activities when of value/benefit to the activities of NMHSs in water resources assessment; and
(g) To review and revise the draft material provided for the Manual for Water Resources Assessment.
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Provision of NMHSs with tools and techniques for the assessment of their water resources (both surface and groundwater) in support of sustainable management of the resource;
(b) Promotion of the role of NMHSs through involvement in and contributions to the WWDR and identification of indicators of water resources (surface and groundwater) availability and use that are measurable by and relevant to the activities of NMHSs;
(e) Increased effectiveness of CHy activities through appropriate cooperation and coordination of activities with other relevant groups and agencies; and
(f) A manual for Water Resources Assessment.
Analysis of Hydroclimatological Data for Variability and Trends
List of activities
(a) To continue involvement in the WCP-Water Project on the analysis of variability and trends in hydroclimatological data;
(b) To promote the use of the Pristine River Basin criteria and the identification of rivers basins that meet these criteria;
(c) To liaise, as necessary, with relevant global data activities, such as for example, GTN-H, GCOS and GEOSS; and
(d) To liaise with the IPCC Working Groups.
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Statistically sound and relevant studies of trends in hydroclimatological data for input to decision making activities associated with sustainable water resources management and disaster mitigation;
(b) An agreed international network of pristine river basins; and
(c) Increased effectiveness of CHy activities through appropriate cooperation and coordination of activities with other relevant groups and agencies.
Hydrological Forecasting and Prediction
List of activities
Flood Forecasting, including Flash-Flood (0-12 hours) and Short-Term Flood Forecasting (0-5 days)
(a) 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);
(b) 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;
(c) To support development of a Manual on Flood Forecasting;
(d) To review approaches for forecasting combined storm surge and river flooding;
(e) To review approaches for forecasting ice formation/break-up and glacier outburst;
Flood Forecasting, Medium-Long-term (>5 days)
(f) To review current progress in, benefits from and capabilities of medium- to long-term hydrological forecasting/seasonal forecasting (including precipitation);
(g) To liaise with CCl on related matters;
Cross-cutting activities
(h) To enhance product delivery through closer cooperation with NMSs;
(i) To provide guidance and hold workshops on flood forecasting, including probabilistic approaches; and
(j) To participate, as necessary, in HEPEX and other flood related international activities;
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Improved flood forecasting capabilities for NMHSs through new techniques and better assimilation of available data into hydrological models for flood forecasting purposes;
(b) A coordinated and cooperative effort amongst modellers (in NMSs and NHSs) to work together in the interests of developing an effective and technologically sound and robust flood forecasting methodology (incorporating QPE and QPF);
(c) Development of new multi-sensor methodologies for QPE for operational use that considers gauged data, satellite,ground-based radar and model derived estimates;
(d) Approaches to forecasting ice formation/break-up, glacial outburst, and combined storm surge and river flooding will be documented;
(e) Documentation to assist NMHSs in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in the provision of flood warning services;
(f) Guidance on the potential use and benefits of medium- to long-term flood and flow forecasting capabilities; and
(g) Increased effectiveness of CHy activities through appropriate cooperation and coordination of activities with other relevant groups and agencies.
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Disaster Mitigation Floods and Droughts (Hydrological Aspects)
List of activities
(a) To promote the use of the guidelines on reducing losses associated with floods and the role of NHSs in flood disaster mitigation;
(b) To provide advice and guidance on hydrological risk management issues of relevance to the Commission;
(c) 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;
(d) To prepare a design low flow estimation handbook;
(e) 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; and
(f) To liaise and lead CHy involvement with the associated work on flood forecasting and the MILAC proposal;
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Assistance to and guidance in disaster mitigation and risk management in support of the role and responsibilities of NMHSs;
(b) Design flood and low flow estimation manuals prepared to meet the identified requirements of NMHSs; and
(c) Increased effectiveness of CHy activities through appropriate cooperation and coordination of activities with other relevant groups and agencies.
Pnel of CHy Experts (OPACHE)
Analysis of Hydroclimatological Data for Variability and Trends
List of activities
(a) To continue involvement in the WCP-Water Project on the analysis of variability and trends in hydroclimatological data;
(b) To promote the use of the Pristine River Basin criteria and the identification of rivers basins that meet these criteria;
(c) To liaise, as necessary, with relevant global data activities, such as for example, GTN-H, GCOS and GEOSS; and
(d) To liaise with the IPCC Working Groups.
Expected Outputs/Outcomes
(a) Statistically sound and relevant studies of trends in hydroclimatological data for input to decision making activities associated with sustainable water resources management and disaster mitigation;
(b) An agreed international network of pristine river basins; and
(c) Increased effectiveness of CHy activities through appropriate cooperation and coordination of activities with other relevant groups and agencies.
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