Open Collaboration Hydrology

Awareness is not the same as participation.

Local people know that something about water is happening.
They see meetings, hear about hydrologists visiting the basin, and notice new measuring instruments.

But they are not yet part of it.

When awareness stays at the surface of a project, communities remain on the outside looking in. Their insights, experiences, and priorities go unheard.

Consequently, awareness is about visibility, not involvement.

Water decisions built this way risk being incomplete, untrusted, or even resisted.
Let’s move from making projects visible to making them inclusive!
💧🤝



Read more at: Basco-Carrera, L., Warren, A., van Beek, E., Jonoski, A., & Giardino, A. (2017). Collaborative modelling or participatory modelling? A framework for water resources management. Environmental Modelling & Software, 91, 95–110. https://lnkd.in/eDi8H5pa

Non-participation in water modeling leads to ignorance. 💧

Too often, water models are built without the people who live with the water every day.
On one hand, when local communities, stakeholders, and those who are directly affected by water decisions are excluded from the modeling process, they lose the chance to strengthen water governance and maintain meaningful influence over their territories.
On the other hand, modelers miss a crucial opportunity to engage with alternative and valuable forms of knowledge about the water system.

Non-participation in water modeling doesn't just exclude people; it weakens decisions. 🔍

Let’s build water models with people. 🤝


Read more at: Basco-Carrera, L., Warren, A., van Beek, E., Jonoski, A., & Giardino, A. (2017). Collaborative modelling or participatory modelling? A framework for water resources management. Environmental Modelling & Software, 91, 95–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.01.014

🌊 What does it take to reach co-decision making in water resources management?

presents a new post series: The Ladder of Participation 🪜

This series will explore the essential steps toward meaningful involvement of local communities. From being ignored to becoming true partners in decision-making.

💧Upcoming posts will examine how to move from ignorance to co-decision in water planning and management.



Read more at: Basco-Carrera, L., Warren, A., van Beek, E., Jonoski, A., & Giardino, A. (2017). Collaborative modelling or participatory modelling? A framework for water resources management. Environmental Modelling & Software, 91, 95–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.01.014

Rethinking Our Water Systems 💧

"Changes in mental models are considered a form of learning..." (Henly-Shepard, Gray, and Cox, 2015).

🧠 How do you shape your mental models about water systems?

---O P E N---C O L L A B O R A T I O N---H Y D R O L O G Y---



Henly-Shepard, S., Gray, S. A., & Cox, L. J. (2015). The use of participatory modeling to promote social learning and facilitate community disaster planning. Environmental Science & Policy, 45, 109–122.

How Can Ecological Design Improve Water Management?

By fostering shared knowledge and collaboration, ecological design transforms how we manage water.

✨ Solutions grow from the ground up — shaped by local voices, diverse expertise, and community wisdom.

When water decisions reflect real-life knowledge and collective experience, they’re more grounded, resilient, and just. 🌱

💧🌍

How Can Ecological Design Improve Water Management?
By embracing decentralized approaches, ecological design empowers communities and strengthens water management systems.
Why does it matter?
Because when decisions aren't concentrated in one authority, we can bring local voices into the conversation!
✅ More responsive
✅ More resilient
✅ Better equipped to tackle challenges on the ground.
This is the power of shared decision-making.
Let’s rethink water through collaboration.
💬 Join the conversation with Open Collaboration Hydrology.
💧🌱

How Can Ecological Design Improve Water Management Planning?
enhances by promoting adaptability to changing conditions. Rather than relying on rigid systems, it embraces flexible strategies that can evolve over time.

This means fully recognizing that water conditions can shift due to:
🌦️ Seasonal variations – fluctuations in rainfall and water availability
🌍 Climate change – long-term shifts impacting water cycles
⚠️ Unexpected events – extreme weather, droughts, or infrastructure failures

By integrating adaptive solutions, water management systems can respond effectively and resiliently to these challenges.

Through , we can foster water management approaches that are sustainable, dynamic, and future-ready.

📖 Reference:
du Plessis, Chrisna. 2012. Towards a Regenerative Paradigm for the Built Environment. Building Research & Information 40(1):7–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.628548

How Can Ecological Design Improve ?

Incorporating ecological design into water management planning makes it more adaptive and responsive to local conditions. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it encourages strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of each region.

This means considering key local factors, such as:

💧 Rainfall patterns – understanding seasonal and long-term water availability

🏡 Cultural practices – integrating traditional and community-based water management

🚰 Existing infrastructure – working with, rather than against, current systems

By embracing , we can develop sustainable, resilient, and regenerative water management solutions that support both people and ecosystems.

📖 Reference:

du Plessis, Chrisna. 2012. Towards a Regenerative Paradigm for the Built Environment. Building Research & Information 40(1):7–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.628548