Open Methods in Operational Flood Hydrology – Considerations for researchers and practitioners

The merits of open science for hydrology are firmly established, widely embedded into research culture, and increasingly adopted within operational agencies. In the UK, it is common practice now for data collected by, and/or funded by, public bodies to be made available openly, licensed for both commercial and non-commercial use, and accessible via data portals and APIs. However, these same standards are not routinely applied to the methods and models used to evaluate flood risk.

This work, part of the UK’s community-led 25-year Flood Hydrology Roadmap, considered the potential role of open methods within UK operational practice. A review of the relevant literature was used to establish a definition and framework for open methods, which was refined based on consultation with practitioners. The framework was used to assess the current levels of ‘openness’ across UK practice, placing this in the context of challenges including governance, funding, and development histories. The study also considered international case studies of where open methods have been successfully implemented for hydrology and in other fields.

The review was used to develop an aspirational vision for the future operational use of open methods in UK flood hydrology, identifying key barriers and recommendations to manage and overcome them. Working with artists, creative provocations have been created to further the conversation, both within hydrology and along the subsequent links in the flood risk modelling chain. The review recommendations will be summarised as considerations relevant to both researchers and practitioners.