Participatory monitoring of water levels
Data collected in a participatory manner can be fed into models in order to define the flood zones and the alert levels for populations and infrastructure, in particular for the rivers where more traditional data collection is not possible.
Project details
Principal(s) investigator(s)
Context
As part of the support that Ouranos offers to the government project INFO-Crue, which aims to map flood zones for southern Quebec, the organization has the mandate to facilitate the acquisition of hydrological data that can be used for modelling and validating flood zones. Citizen science, which has experienced significant development since the mid-2000s throughout the world and in various disciplines, has the potential to meet this need. In this context, this project aims to develop a protocol and tools to support participatory data collection on water levels. It will be used in flood documentation and will support the implementation of the INFO-Crue project.
This approach will assist the Government of Québec by providing the data needed to validate hydraulic models. The involvement of local residents and river users in the acquisition of data will ultimately help continuously improve the mapping tools used to ensure the safety of the population, in particular.
This project is a pilot phase for the implementation of participatory monitoring of water levels for two watersheds (Nicolet and Montmorency) in Quebec.
Objective(s)
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To produce, with the people involved in the pilot watersheds, a participatory protocol for monitoring water levels as well as the tools necessary for its implementation
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To document and compare two scenarios for citizen involvement in water level monitoring in the selected watersheds
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To make recommendations for improving the methods and for longer-term and larger-scale implementation
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To feed a database on the water levels in the selected watersheds
This project is part of the INFO-Crue initiative set up by the MELCCFP.
Methodology
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Mobilization and inclusion of watershed stakeholders in the co-construction of methods for the participatory monitoring of water levels
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Mobilization of volunteers for the effective implementation of monitoring
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Observation of participants and interviews with stakeholders in order to understand and document the participation process
Expected results
The project will produce a participatory water level protocol and the methods necessary for its implementation as well as recommendations for longer-term and larger-scale implementation, based on the participation scenario with the greatest long-term potential. A preliminary water level database will also be compiled.
In addition, the co-construction approach undertaken should allow volunteers to understand flood-related issues in addition to providing expertise on participatory approaches for all stakeholders. This project will be the subject of at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Benefits for adaptation
Benefits for adaptation
Data collected in a participatory manner can be fed into models, making it possible to define the flood zones and the alert levels for populations and infrastructure, in particular for the rivers where more traditional data collection is not possible.
Scientific publications
Funding
Other participants
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MELCCFP
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Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants (ROBVQ)
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Organisme de concertation pour l’eau des bassins versants de la rivière Nicolet (COPERNIC)
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Organisme de bassin versant Charlevoix Montmorency (OBV-CM)
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Université Laval
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