Projet WHYLD (Worldwide Hydrological Large-Scale Database)

Climate change is leading to increasing disastrous floods events globally. Comprehensive mapping of watercourses to accurately assess risk areas is therefore key; however, existing systems provide limited coverage and inadequate data, particularly for minor rivers.

Backed by the EIC Accelerator Programme, Project WHYLD aims to address this issue via the development of an innovative and intelligent river forecasting service, made possible thanks to France-based vorteX-io’s micro-stations, which can accurately measure river data such as water surface height, velocity and temperature. The project’s initial phase has involved large-scale deployment of this service in two pilot countries – France and Croatia – working in close collaboration with the Adour-Garonne Water Agency (AEAG) and Croatian Waters (HV). Next, it aims to cover all of Europe and flood-risk areas globally.

Moreover, water is a critical resource whose management involves not only government policymakers, private sector and environmental groups, but also the local communities living next to the resource. Recognised as a Support Base Partner of WMO’s Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM), Project WHYLD also focuses on the complex sociocultural challenge of proper awareness and effective collaboration among all stakeholders towards resilience in the face of rising climate-driven water challenges and involving citizens in this technological demonstrator via cultural initiatives and citizen science programs. This in turn helps reinforce the solution with user feedback.