The limited availability of high-resolution monitoring systems for the drought phenomena and water dynamics affected by weather anomalies hinders policy decisions in a multitude of ways. This paper introduces the availability of the high-resolution Water Monitoring System (WMS) developed from a mix of sophisticated multi-spectral satellite imageries, analytic and data sciences, and cloud computing, for monitoring the changes in water levels and vegetation water stress at the local scale. The WMS was tested in the Lower Mekong Region (LMR) case basin, Thailand’s Chi River Basin, in the period from January 2021 to April 2021, the dry season. The overall quality of the VHI, VCI, TCI, and NDVI drought simulation results showed a statistically positive Pearson correlation with the reservoir and dam water volume data (ranged between 0.399 and 0.575) but demonstrated a strong negative correlation with the groundwater level data (between −0.355 and −0.504). Further investigation and more detailed analysis of the influence of different physical environmental conditions related to change in groundwater level should be considered to increase scientific knowledge and understanding about the changing nature of the local system from local perspectives with the alternative use of drought indices in data-poor areas. Our result suggests that the WMS can provide quantitative spatiotemporal variations of localized and contextualized surface water changes as a preliminary analysis. The WMS results can offer guidance for finding a better smaller unit management that suits the local conditions, such as water resource management, disaster risk reduction measures (i.e., drought and flood), irrigation practice, land use planning, and crop management. The existing WMS is geared toward the early warning of water and agricultural development, progress on the SDGs, utilization of digital innovation, and improved abilities of decision-makers to monitor and foresee extreme weather events earlier and with high spatial accuracy.

Decision-making in highly altered catchments occurs at different temporal and spatial scales, requiring integration of various datasets and models. This paper introduces two of the components of an environmental multiscale decision support system (EMDSS) for highly altered catchments, designed to make decisions at different time scales. First, an integrated dynamic flow and water quality model is proposed to analyze the river system, including wastewater discharges and water intakes. This integrated model is capable of representing unsteady flow conditions, allowing analysis at different time scales. Second, three postprocessing tools are presented to support short- (hours to days), medium- (days to months), and long- (years to decades) term operational, management, and planning decisions. The water quality component of the model can represent conventional and toxic determinands to simultaneously analyze domestic and industrial pollution throughout a river system. The first postprocessing tool of the EMDSS is useful in defining concentration limits for wastewater discharges for different water users downstream. The second tool allows the assessment of river water quantity and quality to determine water availability for intake extensions and medium-term wastewater flow augmentation. The third makes it possible to simulate and perform effective operational reservoir releases to improve water quality in the river during short-term pollution incidents. The proposed integrated model and postprocessing tools are applied in the upper Bogotá River stretch in Colombia, one of the most altered catchments and polluted rivers in the world. The results obtained illustrate the utility of the proposed EMDSS for river management and decision making regarding water quality at different time scales.

Human decisions on water can have a wide effect, impacting rivers, ecosystems, economies, livelihoods, cultures and spiritual values. To make decisions more equitable, researchers and practitioners need to engage directly with the people affected and understand the norms, values and forms of knowledge surrounding water which underlie these decisions. The participation of people affected by the decisions, known as “stakeholders”, is deeply connected to power relations, and effective models are needed to understand these relations and enable meaningful participation for diverse stakeholders.

Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, wherein the broader impacts of individual decisions are overlooked. To overcome these limitations, this paper explores the design and implementation of a Serious Game (SG) aimed at coproducing a watershed management plan at the basin scale within the specific context of the Campoalegre River basin in Colombia. By providing an interactive platform, the SG facilitates collaboration between local actors, who may be unfamiliar with existing watershed plans, and decision-makers. The goal is to create a participatory space where stakeholders can comprehend the watershed management plan structure and prioritize actions based on various climatic, social, and economic conditions. Following the application of the SG, stakeholders demonstrated an improved understanding of the basin, fostering increased participation, open debate, and the proposal of actions. These outcomes serve as valuable inputs for the implementation of water management planning policies, showcasing the potential of SGs in bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering effective multi-stakeholder engagement.

Este documento ofrece estrategias y herramientas respaldadas por investigadores de SEI para mejorar el acceso generalizado a servicios básicos de agua potable, saneamiento e higiene en Guatemala de manera duradera y sostenible. Lograr este objetivo también impulsa avances positivos en áreas como la adaptación al cambio climático, la gestión sostenible de los recursos naturales, la fortaleza de los ecosistemas y el bienestar general de la población guatemalteca.

Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, where the broader impacts of individual decisions are overlooked. To overcome these limitations, this paper explores the design and implementation of a Serious Game (SG) aimed at co-producing a watershed management plan at the basin scale within the specific context of the Campoalegre River basin in Colombia. By providing an interactive platform, the SG facilitates collaboration between local actors, who may be unfamiliar with existing watershed plans, and decision-makers. The goal is to create a participatory space where stakeholders can comprehend the watershed management plan structure and prioritize actions based on various climatic, social, and economic conditions. Following the application of the SGs, stakeholders demonstrated an improved understanding of the basin, fostering increased participation, open debate, and the proposal of actions. These outcomes serve as valuable inputs for the implementation of water management planning policies, showcasing the potential of SGs in bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering effective multi-stakeholder engagement.