The Hydrology Commission of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) have agreed to cooperate in the design and organisation of a course on stream gauging based on the 2nd edition of the Manual of Stream Gauging (WMO N° 1044, 2010), and recent advancements in research, technology and instrumentation for hydrometry.

Stream gauging is critical for routine monitoring of catchment and estuarine environments and for the provision of essential information for hydrological and hydraulic modelling of these environments. It is recognised that continued education and training on methods for hydrometric data collection, validation and publication are the backbone for the consolidation and dissemination of a ‘hydrological culture’. Such a culture was and is becoming increasingly important at a time when water resources are stressed by climate and anthropogenic impacts. The new challenges calls for improved instruments and methodologies to support integrated river basin management (especially for trans-boundary watersheds) and analyses of future alternative scenarios.

Objective: is to provide a primer to the new edition of the WMO Manual of Stream Gauging, published in 2010, by describing both standard methods and recent technological advancements in stream gauging (with special emphasis on hydroacoustic instruments). Target: managers, professionals and technicians of hydrological and hydro-meteorological services, water engineers, staff of public water authorities, private water services, hydropower companies, Master and PhD Students. This course is the first of a series that will be organized worldwide by IAHR and WMO. A version of the course specifically designed and dedicated to operational staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services is also foreseen.