Water Data Utilization and Capacity Building in the Mekong Region:
Improved Hydrologic Decision Support for the Mekong Basin
Abstract
This contribution highlights part of training events designed to
collect, analyze, and manage water and water-related data (e.g.,
climate, weather, land, soils) and information products for the purposes
of reducing water-related risks, and improving regional responses to
environmental emergencies in the Mekong region. In this work, we discuss
multiple tools and applications developed by National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) scientists to lower technical barriers
through current web technologies and leveraging data sharing
capabilities among existing programs and institutions within different
parts of the Mekong region. The aim of this training contribution is to
leverage a well-established suite of tools that include but are not
limited to remote sensing precipitation data adjustment techniques,
i.e., the SWATOnline visualization and modeling system, and the
NASAaccess data toolkit. The collaborative training events, which this
contribution is part of, are administered by the United States
Department of State (DOS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic
of Korea under the Mekong-US Partnership and its Mekong Water Data
Initiative facilitated by Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (SIP)
program. The Mekong Water Data is a DOS Initiative consists of multiple
efforts and programs with an overarching objective of building the
capacity of Mekong riparian countries and the Mekong River Commission
Secretariat (MRCS), National Mekong Committees and line agencies in the
Lower Mekong countries to improve the management of the Mekong River.