| Water managers across the globe comprehend the vital importance of adequate hydrologic information to support water policy creation and decision-making. In addition to the spatial and temporal resolution of physical observations, data distribution (where data are available for use) and timing (when data are available for use) may determine the utility and benefit of observed data, e.g. in forecasting extreme hydrologic events. Within transboundary river basins, it is too often the case that flows of hydrologic information stall or halt at national boundaries. The result is that decision-making relying on use of real-time hydrologic observation is often compromised by partial, untimely, or uncertain flows of information from “geopolitically ungauged” catchment areas. For this reason, much potential for improving data-driven decision making lies within opportunities to fully utilize existing data networks. Regional platforms for sharing hydro-meteorological data may be a potential pathway to improve management capabilities and a point of coalescence for sharing the benefits of regional cooperation. |
