WC133 NovDec 2023 - Magazine - Page 10
WATERSHEDS
Open-Source Hydrology
The Okanagan Basin approach to watershed management
BY NELSON R. JATEL, JAMES CRAIG, JOEL TRUBILOWICZ, JEREMY FLYKE,
JANNUTUL FERDOUS, LAWRENCE BIRD
Dr. Nelson R. Jatel
is the Water Stewardship Director of
the Okanagan Basin Water Board
James Craig, Ph.D.
is an associate professor and
Canada research chair in hydrologic
modelling and analysis with the
University of Waterloo
Joel Trubilowicz, Ph.D.
works with Environment and
Climate Change Canada
Jeremy Fyke, Ph.D.
is the coordinator for Canadian Centre
for Climate Services with Environment
and Climate Change Canada.
Jannatul Ferdous
is a Ph.D. candidate at the
University of British Columbia
Lawrence Bird
is a Ph.D. student at Monash University
10
N CANADA, local watershed organizations, including First
Nation band governments, play a crucial role in developing
hydrology models for their management plans. Essential for
understanding water dynamics, these models not only serve
as the foundation for 1D and 2D hydraulic applications, but
are also critical for governments in developing infrastructure and
tackling technical climate change issues. However, the valuable
resources created by these organizations are often not accessible
online for collaborative use and enhancement.
I
The power of open-source collaboration
Hydrology models and data in Canada are
developed as part of local government projects and are often only published in reports
without access to underlying models and
datasets. This restricts access for governments, students, and third parties, limiting
learning opportunities, open-source model
improvements, and practical data application. To remedy this, a shift towards a co-creation model involving open-source sharing
of hydrology models and data, as exemplified
by the collaborative development of the
Okanagan Hydrologic Model Environment
(OHME) is needed. By working with several
parties, including the Okanagan Basin Water
Board (OBWB), a consulting firm (AE), local governments, and First Nations, the model will be able to integrate the unique needs
and knowledge of these diverse communities,
enhancing the model’s overall quality and
relevance. Further, a shared hydrology model
cuts costs, boosts efficiency, and fosters
global learning opportunities. The intentional collaboration in developing open-source
hydrology models and data represents a
promising pathway towards more responsive
and community-centred hydrologic modelling, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable
water management.
WATER C AN ADA • NOV EMBER/ DECEMBER 2023
Okanagan
Basin
www.obwb.ca
The intentional
collaboration in
developing opensource hydrology
models and data
represents a promising
pathway towards
more responsive and
community-centred
hydrologic modelling,
reflecting a shared
vision for sustainable
water management.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
