RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK Networking for contributions to regional initiatives related to water

1. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK Networking for contributions to regional initiatives related to water – In particular to the Water Framework Directive Final report, Toulouse, March 2009 Markku Puupponen

2. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK MAIN OBJECTIVES IN BRIEF • To ensure relevant hydrological contribution for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive • To improve the visibility and role of hydrology within EU water and environment sector • To help National Hydrological Services to plan and adapt their long-term activities • To develop working practices (networking) within RA VI WGH

3. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK WORKING PRACTICES • Each RA VI WG Hydrology Member Institute – and relevant group of interest – can appoint one or more participants (NETWORK partners) • The coordinator has an observer status at the Strategic Coordination Group, that controls the implementation of the Water Framework Directive • NETWORK partners exchange information on the implementation process, and act • at national or river basin level • within EU level implementation activities • Main forum for communication: e-mail and web pages (documents and discussion) on WMO servers • Annual meetings to develop practices and agree on priorities

4. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK NETWORK MEMBERS (23 COUNTRIES) • Armenia • Belgium • Bulgaria • Czech Republic • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Hungary • Iceland • Italy • Latvia • Macedonia • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Romania • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Turkey • UK • (plus WMO)

5. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK HYDROLOGICAL EXPERTICE – POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION • Well developed monitoring infrastructures • Database management and development • Production processes (monitoring – data – information) • Tools for water resources assessment (hydrological models) • Geo-informatics (GIS, mapping) for water resources • Close links with meteorological services and climate research • Flood and draught research • Hydraulics applications – links with aquatic ecology • Integrated river basin management basis for hydrological services

6. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE Through Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) programmes • CIS I 2001 – 2002: role of hydrology minor • CIS II 2003 – 2004: role of hydrology minor • CIS III 2005 – 2006: role of hydrology increasing • CIS IV 2007 – 2009: role of hydrology important Grounds for the increasing role of hydrology: Primarily, CIS was focused on the protection on water resources through considering aspects of water quality and aquatic ecology. During the process, the fundamental role of hydrological phenomena and integrated river basin management have been more clearly understood.

8. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK MAIN TOPICS OF INTEREST FOR CIS 2007 – 2009 - As defined in the 1st meeting, October 2006 • Strategic Coordination Group • Working Group on Floods • Working Group on Reporting • Water Scarcity and Droughts Expert Network • Working Group on Groundwater • Water Framework Directive and hydro-morphology • Climate Chance activity

9. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK ”STEPS OF PROGRESS” Concrete influence within CIS . Proactive planning within NHSs Dialogue and consultation within NETWORK Concise views on WFD impacts Supply of basic information

10. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK CONCLUSIONS – POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT • Role and visibility of hydrology in the WFD implementation have increased; currently there are many important processes that are very closely linked with hydrology • Many hydrologists participate the work as national experts • The Hydrology Network has been a good information channel; the network has web pages for documents and discussion (on WMO servers)

11. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK CONCLUSIONS - DRAWBACKS • In general, it has not been possible to organise productive dialogue between the Hydrology Network and WFD implementation groups (this process will be discussed in more detail below) • The network cannot be represented in implementation bodies without a budget • The operation of the network calls for activity from all of its members

12. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK CHALLENGE: PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION

13. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE NETWORK WMO NETWORK (RA VI WGH) EU CIS ACTIVITY

14. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK HYDROLOGICAL COMMUNITY INPUT DEVELOPMENT Straightforward Optional realisation Optional strategies

15. RA VI WG HYDROLOGY NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK • WMO should play an active role in EU cooperation in the water sector; the MET community is focused on DG Research (and others), the HYD community should focus on DG Environment • Input for the WFD implementation should be based on national contributions; in this framework, NHSs should make sure that best hydrological expertise will be used at national and EU groups when hydrology related topics are discussed • What will be the role of the Hydrology Network: will it be closed, reduced into information channel, or will it be integrated in a more extensive RA VI WGH information concept? • The SCG membership offers an excellent opportunity for giving general information on the WFD implementation process and preparing national activities; however, a small budget is required for this activity! • How to take advantage of the WHG web sites and services? • How to create more activity and ability to be reactive?!