International Joint Commission model selection and implementation guidelines

The International Joint Commission\u2019s (IJC) International Watersheds Initiative (IWI) is an approach to addressing transboundary water issues that examines watersheds as a whole and takes an integrated, ecosystem approach rather than addressing boundary water issues in isolation (IJC, 2009). The IWI Boards work to resolve water-related issues within the watershed at the local level through an integrated approach. In support of their work, the Boards initiate studies to investigate issues of concern and many of the studies include modelling as part of the scientific investigation. Many of the Boards have common issues among their jurisdictions and the IWI helps to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise among the Boards as these issues are addressed. For numerical modelling projects, the model selection and application process has largely been driven by the Boards themselves. The Boards tend to decide on which model to use based on the knowledge of those participating in the process and the skill sets available to the Board undertaking the activity, either from an agency affiliation or a contractor petitioning to supply the modelling services. This overall process has not been as scientifically rigorous as it could be and the numerical modelling projects could benefit from more support and guidance from the IJC and other experts. Additionally, issues have arisen with regard to ownership of data and modelling results developed for a project. Often model implementations, collected data and results are summarized in a report, but the data and model files themselves are not made available to meet future Board needs for which numerical modelling may be helpful. For the above reasons, and in an effort to improve the quality of the IJC modelling studies, the IJC planned a series of IWI modelling workshops with the goal of addressing needs that may exist with numerical model selection, implementation and model data stewardship beyond the life of the projects themselves.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye