What is FDRI and why does it matter?

We need whole-system monitoring to build resilience to floods and droughts

We know the hydrological community faces real challenges in getting the data they need to generate the models and analyses which are key to forecasting and managing floods and droughts. 

Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, FDRI will help fill gaps in our understanding of floods and droughts through:

  • Innovative monitoring of the whole water cycle across three research catchments
  • A digital platform with national and catchment-scale datasets, with tools to enable easier dataset access
  • Targeted training and open-laboratory research opportunities for the hydrological community

These tools will help lead to better prediction, risk management and mitigation decisions, protecting UK communities and saving money. 

What will FDRI's impact be?

Hydrological modelling
Improved accuracy in early warning systems
Data to calibrate, benchmark and create models which better protect communities, agriculture and industry.
Caution flooding sign
Research which delivers resilience
Tools for researchers to better understand catchment responses in extremes, informing decisions on mitigation and adaption.
Wetland at sunset
Evidence for water management solutions
Insights to test, evidence and verify the efficacy of solutions, from natural flood management to AI optimisation of water use in farming.

Q&A

Who can use FDRI - and what is the hydrological community?

FDRI is an open access project: data will be freely available on the digital platform. Other resources such as mobile monitoring equipment and use of the innovation test beds will be available to researchers via UKRI grant award applications. Whilst our priority will be academic applications, we recognise the value of commercial research & development and will put in place mechanisms for wider use by a range of stakeholders to accommodate the varied applications and collaborations that exist to advance knowledge about floods and droughts.

The hydrological community consists of everyone with an interest in floods and droughts, from researchers, to local governments and citizen scientists. Within this community, we expect primary users of FDRI to be:

  • Hydrologists who use environmental data and monitoring equipment in their day to day roles. This includes for modelling and analysis in research, understanding risks and management of hydrological extremes.
  • Students and teachers, from postgraduate level to secondary schools. Institutions and individuals will be welcome to use FDRI for training purposes. This includes using physical sites for field trips, alongside data and interfaces on the digital platform for projects.
  • Monitoring innovators, who are interested in developing and testing new ways of understanding water, from research to industry contexts.
  • Regulators, national and local governments, steering decisions with insights directly from and enabled by FDRI, to strengthen responses to extremes. 

 

when will FDRI be delivered?

All our outputs will be completed by 2029. We are currently in the implementation phase of FDRI, with our network of monitoring equipment, digital platform and community-building activities all in delivery.

FDRI phases diagram

 

 

 

 

Where are the FDRI observatories?

Three complementary catchments (the land around a river that collects rain) were selected, encompassing common characteristics and challenges faced in flood and drought scenarios across the UK.

Find out more about the catchments here.

who has a say in FDRI's design?

The FDRI team ran a scoping study, commissioned and funded by UKRI to determine requirements and rationale for the research infrastructure. 

  • Over 780 individuals across the hydrological community were consulted
  • We used structured workshops and surveys to understand user needs
  • You can read the full report here 

We continue to gather the community's views into the implementation phase, especially to build catchment monitoring designs within the observatories and understand user needs and experience for the digital platform. 

How can I get involved?

Visit our get involved page here to find out more about current events and opportunities.