River. Flood forecasting with HEC-RAS involves using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) to predict flood behavior by simulating the flow of water through rivers, channels, and floodplains. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more here.

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Flood forecasting with HEC-RAS involves using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) to predict flood behavior by simulating the flow of water through rivers, channels, and floodplains. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more here.

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Hydrological forecasting uses HYPE semi-distributed model to predict river discharges, water temperature and nutrient loads at each sub-basin at an hourly or daily timestep. Ensemble forecasting enables the quantification of uncertainty in hydrological variables by simulating 51 possible model trajectories, based on equal number of meteorological forecasts from ECMWF ENS product. Forecasts are produced for both short-term (10 days) and seasonal time horizons (210 days). Simulated hydrological variables are also used to force downstream models e.g. for flood forecasting, reservoir water quality forecasting.

Flood Forecasting. Flood simulation is performed with HEC-RAS, a hydraulic modeling software developed by the Hydrologic Engineering Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The model solves the full 2D shallow water equations, accounting for momentum and energy conservation, using as boundary conditions forecasts of river discharges from the hydrological model. The simulation is performed using an unstructured grid of variable geometry (typically ~20 m in the main river channel, ~100 m in the floodplains). The hydraulic model is updated daily and has a forecasting horizon of up to 10 days. It produces maps of water depth, flow velocities, flood arrival times and inundation duration.

Coastal Forecasting. The forecasting service line is powered by a third-generation wave model (Delft3D-WAVE) coupled with a 3D hydrodynamic model (Delft3D-FLOW) to account for the effect of waves and currents, and resolve the circulation dynamics (stratification, mixing) of the coastal environment. Water quality information is generated by 3D process-based model Delft3D-WAQ or by data-driven models based on Machine Learning algorithms. Meteorological forecasts from ECMWF are downscaled and bias corrected using state-of-the-art techniques. Real-time data from in-situ sensors and EO-based products from Sentinel & Landsat are incorporated into the models using advanced data assimilation techniques to improve predictive skill.

Water Quality Forecasting. Operational short-term forecasting of reservoir water quality parameters, such as chlorophyll-a, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrients, is provided through Delft3D Suite. A 3D hydrodynamic model (Delft3D-FLOW) is used to resolve the circulation pattern, stratification and mixing phenomena, and then is coupled with an ecological model (Delft3D-WAQ) to simulate algae growth, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, water temperature etc. The reservoirs are discretized using a grid resolution of ~100x100 m2 in the horizontal direction, while 10-20 layers are used in the vertical direction depending on reservoir’s depth. Maps, timeseries and vertical profiles of simulated variables are provided through WQIS operational platform for up to 10 days ahead.

Meteorological forecasts. Meteorological forecasting is a core component of WQ²IS system, providing forcing data that drives a wide range of operational hydro-ecological models at various spatial and temporal scales, including: ● Hydrological models, which require inputs such as precipitation, temperature, and humidity ● Water quality models using solar radiation, wind speed/direction, and cloud cover ● Hydraulic models, driven primarily by precipitation ● Coastal models, using mainly wind conditions, air temperature, and wave characteristics.
WQ²IS obtains operational meteorological forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), utilizing a comprehensive suite of products that cover both short-term (up to 15 days) and seasonal (up to 7 months) time scales, such as: ● The atmospheric Model high resolution 15-day forecast HRES ● The Ocean Wave Model high resolution 15-day Forecast HRES-WAM ● The Atmospheric model Ensemble 15-day forecast ENS ● The Seasonal 7-month forecast SEAS. ECMWF products include both deterministic and probabilistic (ensemble-based) forecasts to support uncertainty assessment in a wide range of modelling applications within WQ²IS. For hindcast simulations, model calibration and validation over historical periods, WQI²S leverages ECMWF’s reanalysis data such as ERA5 and ERA5-Land, which provide hourly datasets of meteorological parameters at ~30 and ~10 km resolution respectively.
Through its API interface, WQ²IS can also be coupled with national or regional meteorological forecasting systems, allowing users to integrate locally optimized models, enhancing resolution and performance for specific geographic areas.

Satellite Imagery. Multispectral satellite imagery from Sentinel and Landsat is used to deliver EO-based water quality products such as water surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, turbidity, secchi disk depth, etc. The spatial resolution varies from 10x10m2 (Sentinel) to 30x30m2 (Landsat), and depending on the weather conditions (cloudiness, sun glint, etc.) up to 3-4 images may be available per week. The EO-based products serve as an Operational Monitoring system for large water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and coastal waters. Additionally, EOs are assimilated in operational forecasting models to improve predictive skill.

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Protecting Aquaculture Operations. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a well-documented threat to both wild fish populations and aquaculture operations in coastal and freshwater environments. These events can cause severe losses due to: a) hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen), which can trigger fish kills even after short exposure, b) suboptimal oxygen levels, which reduce fish growth rates over time, impacting overall production and c) off-flavor compounds, which lower market value and profit. WQ²IS offers aquaculture operators 10 days forecasts of key parameters such as dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, and temperature, allowing them to evaluate the likelihood and severity of upcoming HAB events. With this foresight, aquaculture managers can take informed, cost-effective decisions, such as: • Early harvesting of fish stocks • Timed depuration to minimize biomass loss • Relocation of cages to safer areas.
By integrating WQ²IS forecasts into daily operations, aquaculture producers can better protect their stock, minimize economic losses, and maintain product quality.

Hydropower. Water availability is of utmost importance for hydropower energy generation. Understanding how much water will be available and when, is crucial for planning energy output, optimizing reservoir operations, and ensuring grid reliability. WQ²IS provides both short-term and seasonal forecasts of river discharges and reservoir inflows, helping operators anticipate hydrological extremes such as droughts or floods. This foresight supports better informed decisions on maintaining optimal reservoir levels while minimizing water loss, and allows for efficient water allocation in multipurpose systems. In addition to water availability, water quality is another important factor that should be taken into consideration in hydropower operations. Changes in sediment loads, turbidity, and biological activity can significantly impact plant efficiency, infrastructure integrity, and operational costs. WQ²IS integrates high-resolution water quality forecasts, including sediment transport, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a, into its predictive framework, which can be tailored to specific catchments or reservoirs. WQ²IS helps hydropower producers shift from reactive responses to forecast-driven, proactive operation—improving both energy reliability and long-term sustainability.

Improving Potable Water Treatment. One of the most challenging tasks in potable water production is the cost-efficient and consistent operation of water treatment plants that must process raw water of varying quality and quantity. Due to the dynamic nature of raw water properties, there is a growing need for water suppliers to operate water treatment processes with increased responsiveness or ideally with a proactive rationale. WQ²IS supports this transition by delivering short- to medium-term forecasts of key water quality parameters, empowering operators to anticipate challenges and optimize treatment processes in advance. In reservoirs equipped with multiport abstraction systems (intakes at different depths), WQ²IS integrates 3D water quality models, to provide vertical profiles of important parameters such as turbidity, sediments, nutrients, and chlorophyll-a. This insight allows operators to select the optimal depth for water abstraction, minimizing raw water variability and treatment costs. Additionally, machine-learning models integrated within WQ²IS can simulate the performance of different treatment stages such as sedimentation, flocculation or filtration systems. These models help operators to understand the relationship between water quality and operational cost, enabling adjustments in chemical dosing or backwashing frequency. As a result, utilities can better assess and control how water quality fluctuations impact treatment efficiency, energy use, and overall costs, ensuring regulatory compliance sustainable operations and consistent water quality delivery to consumers.

Recreational Activities. Many water bodies are popular destinations for recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, rowing, boating and other water sports. However, during periods of poor water quality, these activities can pose health risks to users. Events such as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can expose users to toxins that can result in skin rashes, eye irritation, and in some cases, more severe reactions through inhalation or accidental ingestion. WQ²IS provides an Early Warning System that combines EO-based monitoring with short-term water quality forecasts to identify conditions that are unfavourable for recreational use, several days in advance. This early detection of HAB events and other water quality hazards can help water managers and health authorities to take proactive measures, such as issuing timely public warnings and enforcing temporary restrictions or closures to recreational areas, effectively minimizing public exposure during high-risk periods. By integrating WQ²IS forecasts into waterbody management practices, authorities can safeguard public health, reduce health-related costs, and support the sustainable use of aquatic environments for recreation and tourism.

Desalination. Short-term forecasts of key seawater quality parameters can be repurposed into a practical Early Warning and Decision Support Tool for desalination plant operators. This service helps operators to anticipate critical changes in raw water quality that may affect plant performance, enabling more informed and proactive daily operations. By providing forecasts of raw water characteristics such as water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a etc., operators can adjust processes in advance to maintain treatment efficiency and prevent potential disruptions. In addition, machine-learning models can simulate the behavior and the performance of different treatment stages. When paired with short-term water quality forecasts, these models can highlight opportunities to optimize energy use and chemical dosing, supporting more cost-effective and sustainable plant operations.

Reservoir Management. Reservoir and bulk water managers are increasingly challenged not only by fluctuating water availability but also by water quality deterioration that can disrupt downstream water supply, treatment, and distribution systems. WQ²IS offers a robust decision-support solution which provides Hydrological forecasts across the entire upstream catchment as well as reservoir water quality forecasts, including vertical profiles of key parameters such as chlorophyll-a, nutrients, sediments, and dissolved oxygen. These forecasts allow managers to anticipate potential water quality degradation, enabling early action to minimize impacts on drinking water production, irrigation supply, and industrial uses downstream. The Early Warning System built into WQ²IS translates complex forecast data into clear, actionable alerts, which can be integrated with predefined operational responses, such as adjusting abstraction depths, modifying treatment processes, or switching to alternative water sources.
For hydraulically interconnected reservoir systems, the WQ²IS Blending Tool supports scenario analysis and optimization of inter-reservoir water transfers, by evaluating both quantitative (volume, timing, duration) and qualitative (water quality status) criteria in upstream and downstream reservoirs. This enables reservoir managers to assess the effectiveness of various transfer strategies and plan water transfers proactively preserving overall system resilience. By integrating WQ²IS into day-to-day reservoir operations and long-term planning, water managers gain a comprehensive, predictive view of system dynamics, which allows them to make more informed, cost-effective, and risk-aware decisions.

Agriculture. Agricultural productivity is highly sensitive to weather and climate variability. With increasing risks from droughts, heatwaves, and shifting growing season dynamics, farmers and agronomists need reliable information to make informed decisions. WQ²IS addresses this need by developing a suite of agro-meteorological indicators that assess and forecast plant growth conditions and crop stress risks over a 7-month forecasting horizon. These indicators are derived by combining ECMWF seasonal meteorological forecasts (SEAS) and hydrological forecasts with satellite imagery and local field data. The indicators include drought stress indices, heat stress indicators, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), dry spell duration and frequency, heatwaves, etc. Each indicator is tailored to specific crop types and calculated for key phenological periods such as blooming, pollination, and harvest—where timing is critical for crop yield and quality. By delivering crop-specific, forecast-based information, WQ²IS empowers stakeholders to make proactive, cost-effective decisions, reduce climate-related losses, and improve long-term agricultural sustainability.

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Flood Forecasting. Developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HEC-RAS is widely used for modeling river hydraulics and predicting flooding under different scenarios. See more Visit W3Schools

Optimizing Thermal Plant Operations. Cooling systems are the most water-intensive component of thermal power generation. During periods of low water availability or elevated water temperatures, plant efficiency and output can be significantly reduced. In addition, increased levels of suspended matter can lead to fouling in cooling circuits, requiring preventive actions to avoid equipment degradation and unplanned downtime. WQ²IS supports thermal plant operators by delivering reliable forecasts of river water availability, helping to improve day-to-day planning and reduce the risk of power curtailments. Hydrological forecasts at various time scales (short term to seasonal) can be used to inform operators on future values of water flow, temperature and suspended sediments, and issue warnings against hydrological extremes. By integrating water quantity and quality forecast into operations, plant managers can make proactive decisions to safeguard performance, optimize cooling system efficiency, and maintain regulatory compliance under variable water conditions.