SR-4 : Data systems and library

Abstract

The advent of sophisticated water resources and hydrological studies has necessitated the development of hydrologic data libraries in recent times. This report discusses the operating methodologies of such libraries. The report is introduced with a comprehensive description of the types and aspects of information usually encountered in hydrological investigations. The operational procedures of data banks are reviewed systematically. They are:

i) Collection of raw data which involves the standardization of measurement/observation procedures and the establishment of data collection network.

ii) Processing of raw data, comprising quality control, editing, analysis and synthesis, to prepare them for ready use in hydrological studies.

iii ) Storage and retrieval of data using data base management principles. The storage and retrieval techniques are discussed separately, followed by a survey of the integrated data base management process. Illustrative cases of their use in hydrology-related areas are discussed.

The current developmental status of some major hydrologic data banks are reviewed with emphasis on the scientific and organizational aspects. The data banks reviewed cover a wide, spectrum of hydrologic interests, and indicate the areas of current research. The study is concluded with a synoptic discussion of the need for a hydrologic data library in this Institute, the operational strategies that can be envisaged for it, and the scientific background necessary for the same.