Monitoring reservoir water quantity

Our scientists have developed models to monitor and predict water availability at the basin scale.

CAPABILITY:

Monitoring reservoir water quantity

Reservoirs are crucial in preventing water shortages. The regular and accurate management of the water they store is becoming even more critical as climate change amplifies evaporating water loss and alters rainfall patterns.

Our scientists have developed models to monitor and predict water availability at the basin scale. These models take account of the relative impact of reservoirs, water usage across different sectors and the effects of environmental change.

CASE STUDY:

Stars4Water project

UKCEH scientists are leading the improved representation of reservoir operations as part of the Horizon Europe Stars4Water project. We are combining data-driven approaches with process-based modelling to better quantify the impact of reservoir behaviour on water resources management.

We are working with multiple international partners to develop an innovative data-driven methodology which will explore future changes in reservoir storage. This methodology has the potential to incorporate trends in associated sectoral demands, offering valuable insights to inform future reservoir management planning.

Visit the Stars4Water project website

DATA:

Reservoir and lake water level and storage catalogue

As part of the Copernicus In Situ (COINS) project, UKCEH scientists have collated a metadata catalogue showcasing freely available in situ water level and water storage data for reservoirs and lakes worldwide.

Such data are essential for accurately modelling hydrological systems, simulating current operations, and forecasting future water demand and use. There is also a growing requirement for water body data to validate earth observation (EO) products, such as water level products from the Copernicus Global Land Management Service.

The catalogue represents a significant step towards increasing knowledge about the status of water bodies globally, as well as promoting awareness of data products which have the potential to further inform planning around water resources management at the basin scale.