HARMONIQUA Harmonising quality assurance in model based catchment and river basin management
Country: EU Projects
Start Date:           Duration: 48 months         Project Type: RTD
Contract Number: EVK1-CT-2001-00097
Organisation Type:  EC Project
Topics: 
Groundwater protection-->Planning-->Modelling
Water resources and their management -->River basin management
Water resources and their management -->River basins
Water resources and their management -->Stresses, quality and ecological status
Water resources and their management -->Water resources and their management Overview
Project objectives: 
The overall goal of HarmoniQuA is to improve the quality of model based river basin management and enhance the confidence of all stakeholders in the use of models. 
HarmoniQuA has 4 specific objectives: 1) to develop a generic, scientifically based methodology and a set of guidelines for the modelling process; 2) to develop 
tools to support modellers and water managers throughout the quality assurance process; 3) to test the methodology/guidelines and the support tools in real-life 
cases; 4) to disseminate the results of the project to users in the academic education sector, the water managers and model users and to other interested stakeholders.
Project Summary: 
The project aims to develop a European methodology for modelling and simulation in water management, covering both generic and domain specific modelling 
activities. The development of a generic methodology will be achieved on the basis of collected existing methodologies and guidelines (both generic and domain 
specific) and subsequent analysis, harmonisation, integration and improvement. Subsequently, the generic methodology will be translated into guidelines 
for seven specific domains: groundwater models, precipitation runoff models, hydrodynamic models (including sediment and morphology models), flood forecasting 
models, surface water quality models, biota (ecological) models, and socio-economic models. Stand-alone and plug-in tools to support modellers and water 
managers throughout the quality assurance process will be also developed and tested in integrated case studies covering geographical conditions and modelling 
cultures, involving various stakeholders and end-users. An exploitation infrastructure guarantees long term support and future use by the entire community 
of water managers.
Achieved Objectives: 
The overall goal of HarmoniQuA was to improve the quality of model based river basin management and to enhance the confidence of all stakeholders in the use of 
models. HarmoniQuA had 4 specific objectives: 1) to develop a generic, scientifically based methodology and a set of guidelines for the modelling process; 
2) to develop tools to support modellers and water managers throughout the quality assurance process; 3) to test the methodology/guidelines and the support 
tools in real-life cases; 4) to disseminate the results of the project to users in the academic education sector, the water managers and model users and to other 
interested stakeholders.      
    
The HarmoniQuA MoST software has been developed to provide a user-friendly guidance and quality assurance framework that will contribute towards enhancing 
the credibility of catchment and river basin modelling. It prompts users with the appropriate ‘next step’ in the modelling process and provides an audit trial 
to check previous decisions.    
A computer based journal is produced within MoST where the water manager and modelling team record the progress and decisions made during a model study according 
to the modelling tasks.    
    
Furthermore traning material has been developed to       
 1.   to train professionals (modelers and managers/clients) in workshops how to improve their performance in model based water management studies by using 
HarmoniQuA MoST (Modelling Support Tool) and its Knowledge Base.    
  2. to train students in structured modelling, especially for model based water management; MoST gives here guidance and helps students to find their way 
through the complex maze of the modelling process.
Product Descriptions: 
The overall goal of HarmoniQuA was to improve the quality of model based river basin management and to enhance the confidence of all stakeholders in the use of 
models.     
A software (to download), papers and training material is provided.   
To download the Modelling Support Tool (Most) please register at the project website.
Additional Information:
Project Resources:

Support for model based water management with the HarmoniQuA toolbox.

Quality assurance support tool for catchment-based modelling: a test on the HBV-NP model for eutrophication assessment

Structuring Multidisciplinary Knowledge for Model-based Water Management

Harmoniqua Knowledge Base

Harmoniqua Most Software

State-of-the-art report on quality assurance in modelling related to river basin management.

Quality assurance in model based water management - review of existing practice and outline of new approaches

Harmoniqua: The Project (Powerpoint Presentation)

Modelling guidelines - terminology and guiding principles

Structuring multidisciplinary knowledge for model based water management: the HarmoniQuA approach
Weblink:
http://www.info.wau.nl/harmoniqua/
Funding Programme(s): 
EC Framework Programme 5
Link to Organisations:
Submitted by: EUGRIS Team Dr Stefan Gödeke  Who does what?  18/03/2005 11:03:00
Updated by: EUGRIS Team Professor Paul Bardos  Who does what?  03/10/2006 11:51:00