The Czech Republic intends to network its Hydrological Information System with those of the neighboring states of Germany and Austria. This Czech solution posts the latest water levels measured throughout the country for the rivers Elbe and Moldau and those of other rivers such as the Danube in Slovakia on the Internet. MGE Data in Prague has developed a system for the Czech water authorities for displaying measurement points, infrastructure and aerial photos. This system consists of various software applications, with SICAD Internet Map Service (SICAD-IMS) being used for the burgeoning GIS tasks. During the extreme floods in August 2002, the hit rate for this dynamic information on the web increased by factor hundred. This planned cross-border networking will produce an extensive early warning
system that will significantly improve the information on precipitation, flows
and the resulting risk categories. Official personnel and those likely to be affected by flooding in all the participating countries will then have longer in which to take the necessary action and will also have information on the present water levels available on site.
The Czech Republic’s Hydrological Information System is used for providing the public with real-time information on river levels. The IT solution integrates more than 400 measuring stations throughout the country and posts the levels at frequent intervals on the internet. In addition to the water levels in meters, the display contains dynamic information on the rise or fall over the past three hours. The application also shows the present risk of flooding as one of four flood damage levels. MGE Data, the Czech partner of SICAD.
GEOMATICS set up a pilot version of the application in the year 2000 for the regional water authorities of Povodi Moravy. Since then, all the other four water authorities in the country have opted for this internet-based platform.
The solution now covers large parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia; the catchment area of the Danube in both countries is fully covered.
