April 2026

In this second issue of 2026, we introduce a recently appointed sixth Co-editor, Pedro Chaffe, and are delighted to welcome him on board: read all about Pedro’s background in our regular ‘Meet the Editor’ slot. We offer synopses of multiple Open Access articles in this issue, together with featured articles and other ‘hot topics’, and we announce the winner of the 2025 Frances Watkins Memorial Award. Find out too about our new collection of papers curated by the MOXXI Working Group. Read it all here.

March 2026

The IAHS is pleased to announce the introduction of a new distinction: the IAHS Fellow Award. This prestigious recognition has been established to honour outstanding contributions to the hydrological sciences community and to celebrate excellence across the global IAHS network.

Award Overview

The IAHS Fellow Award will be presented every two years, recognising five distinguished scientists—one from each continent (North America, South America, Africa, Asia-Oceania, and Europe). This structure reflects IAHS’s commitment to global representation and inclusivity within the hydrological sciences.

Ceremony and Recognition

Awardees will be formally recognised during the IAHS Scientific Assembly and the IUGG General Assembly. Each Fellow will also be invited to deliver an oral contribution, either within a dedicated session or as part of the wider scientific programme.

Eligibility and Nominations

Candidates must be established scientists holding a permanent position, with a minimum of 10 years of research experience following the completion of their PhD. Nominees should also be current IAHS members. Nominations may be submitted by IAHS National Representatives, IAHS Officers, or IAHS members, ensuring a broad and inclusive nomination process. In addition, awardees are encouraged to contribute to the Hydrological Sciences Journal (HSJ). Ideally, recipients will have published at least one HSJ paper within the three years prior to the award and will be invited to submit a review or research paper highlighting their work within one year of the award ceremony.

Selection Process

Nominations should be received by the IAHS President and Secretary General (with a copy sent to [email protected]) no later than 31 December of the previous year. The selection will be carried out by a jury composed of the IAHS Management Team.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

IAHS is committed to achieving a balanced representation across gender and scientific disciplines in the selection of Fellows.

This new award represents an important step in recognising excellence and strengthening the global hydrological sciences community. Further details on the nomination process and timelines will be shared in due course.

March 2026

The IAHS DWG is entering an exciting new phase of development. Since its launch, the DWG has provided an innovative way to explore hydrological research across the world, helping to connect scientific knowledge and showcase the global reach of water science. As digital tools and scientific collaboration continue to evolve, IAHS is now taking the opportunity to redevelop the platform to better support the needs of the international hydrological community.

From the end of March, the current DWG will be temporarily unavailable while this redevelopment takes place. The next stage of development will introduce a new generation of the platform designed to enhance how hydrological research is visualised, shared, and explored globally. The aim is to create a more powerful and accessible tool that strengthens connections between researchers, disciplines, and regions. While work continues behind the scenes, IAHS will keep members informed as the project progresses and will share further updates in the coming months.

We look forward to welcoming the community back to a renewed and enhanced DWG very soon.

March 2026

The 10th International Symposium on Water Resources Management (IWRM) will address the growing need for resilient and inclusive water resource management in the face of accelerating global change. 

The 10th edition builds on the legacy of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) symposia organized by ICWRS, particularly the 9th IWRM in Brazil (2024), while introducing a renewed focus on science-to-practice pathways. Hosting the event in Australia, a region confronting acute water security and climate resilience challenges, adds regional relevance and global significance.

Key topics include:

• Synergies between First Nations and technological knowledge and science
• Adaptive and resilient water systems design
• Decision support and co-design tools
• Local-global integration in water governance
• Trade-offs and synergies across societal, environmental, and economic domains.

The symposium will foster critical discussions and knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and policy actors, with a strong commitment to involving early-career scientists and participants from underrepresented regions.

Invited Speakers:

• The Peter Loucks Lecture will be given by Holger Maier (Adelaide University)
• Prof. Junguo Liu (North China University of Water Resources and  Electric Power)
• Prof. Troy Meston (Charles Sturt University, One Basin CRC)
• Prof. Bradley Moggridge (University of Technology Sydney)
• Assoc. Prof. Sally Thompson (University of Western Australia).

Presentation submission (Oral & Poster Abstracts):

• Please submit abstracts by 15 April 2026
• Authors will be notified of acceptance by 30 April 2026
• SYSTA application deadline 30 April 2026.

SYSTA (Sivapalan Young Scientist Travel Award) funding is available to eligible early career scientists who meet ALL of the SYSTA award criteria. Applicants should email the completed SYSTA application form and a copy of their published paper and conference abstract to IAHS Secretariat ([email protected]) before the deadline of 30 April 2026 at 09:00 GMT. Before submitting the application form, applicants should read the “Guidance on completing the SYSTA application form” document. Applications and published paper must be in English.

Field trips:

• Mulloon Institute 9 September 2026. Currently limited to 50 people
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 13 September 2026. Includes a BBQ lunch and the nearby Deep Space Communication Complex visitor centre if there is interest and time. Please register your interest in joining these field trips on the registration page. Cost and details will be available later.

Organising Committee:

Barry Croke (Australian National University)
Pedro Luiz Borges Chaffe (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil)
Alberto Viglione (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)
Suxia Liu (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)
Emmanouil Anagnostou (University of Connecticut, USA)
Gökçen Uysal (Eskisehir Technical University, Turkey)
Chris Leong (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Japan)

March 2026

The IAHS International Commission on Continental Erosion (ICCE) symposia taking place from 17-19 September 2026 in Como, Italy. This marks the event's return to Italy after 20 years.

The symposia will bring together global hydrological experts to discuss cutting-edge research and solutions for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of soil erosion processes.

Important Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline 5 May 2026
• Early-Bird Registration 15 April 2026
• SYSTA Application Deadline 30 April 2026.

Scientific Topics:

• Erosion modelling and monitoring
• Sediment dynamics at catchment scale
• Wind erosion, tillage, alternative processes
• Prevention and soil conservation
• Mediterranean erosion perspectives
• Soil erosion and landscape evolution.

SYSTA (Sivapalan Young Scientist Travel Award) funding is available to eligible early career scientists who meet ALL of the SYSTA award criteria. Applicants should email the completed SYSTA application form and a copy of their published paper and conference abstract to IAHS Secretariat ([email protected]) before the deadline of 30 April 2026 at 09:00 GMT. Before submitting the application form, applicants should read the “Guidance on completing the SYSTA application form” document. Applications and published paper must be in English.

This is a unique opportunity to showcase your research, network with global experts, and contribute to shaping the future of hydrological and geomorphological sciences. Learn more and submit your abstracts here.

The ICCE Como 2026 Organising Team is looking forward to welcoming you to Como, Italy!

March 2026

There are only 3 weeks remaining until the abstract submission deadline of 30 March 2026 for the 5th International Conference on African Rivers in Rabat, Morocco, 6-11 July 2026.

This event is sponsored by the IAHS, UNESCO IHP FRIEND-Water, WMO and IWMI, and co-organised by the University Mohammed V of Rabat, and IRD. The main themes include:
1. Hydro-climatic Drivers in Hydrological River Systems
2. Advances in Observation and Modelling of Hydrological Processes
3. Water Management and Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Hydrological Systems
4. AI, Big Data and Remote Sensing in Hydrology

The conference will be followed by 2 days with a choice of 8 training sessions, open exclusively to registered participants to the conference with official certificates of attendance. During the conference 6 discussion sessions will be dedicated to discussion workshops, on the Science/Society topics:
1. Co-creation of knowledge (with IAHS )
2. Transboundary water resources (with OIEAU)
3. Panafrican Youth and Blue Economy (with OPJEB)
4. Ancestral techniques of water use (with Moroccan experts)
5. Monitoring for risk reduction (with WMO)
6. From Satellites to Decisions: Strengthening Territorial Resilience Across Africa’s Large Watersheds (with IWMI).

After the conference 3 special issues in indexed journals are scheduled:
1. Hydrological Sciences Journal
2. International Journal of River Basin Management
3. Bulletin de l'Institut Scientifique.

SYSTA (Sivapalan Young Scientist Travel Award) funding is available to eligible early career scientists who meet ALL of the SYSTA award criteria. Applicants should email the completed SYSTA application form and a copy of their published paper and conference abstract to IAHS Secretariat ([email protected]) before the deadline of 30 March 2026 at 09:00 GMT. Before submitting the application form, applicants should read the “Guidance on completing the SYSTA application form” document. Applications and published paper must be in English.

Submission of abstracts and registration for training sessions are open until 30 March 2026. Do not miss this opportunity to meet continental and worldwide specialists of African rivers. Share and discuss your results and be part of the science/society discussions to build the "Rabat declaration" for the Future of African Rivers Resources.

We look forward to welcoming you in Rabat!

March 2026

Zhengzhou, March 2026 – UNESCO has officially approved the establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Stepwise Ecological Restoration of Watersheds at the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU). The agreement was signed in February 2026 by UNESCO Director-General Mr. Khaled El-Enany and NCWU President Professor Junguo Liu (IAHS HELPING Working Group2.5 Co-Leader), who has been appointed as the Chair Holder. This marks the first UNESCO Chair ever established based on the concept of Stepwise Ecological Restoration.

The UNESCO Chairs Programme, established in 1992, mobilizes the expertise of higher education and research institutions to address the interdependent challenges of today's increasingly complex world. It advances an integrated system of research, training, and activities in diverse fields by building university networks and encouraging inter-university cooperation through the transfer of knowledge and expertise across borders. The newly established Chair will focus on conducting research on watershed hydrological evolution and ecological degradation mechanisms, developing innovative restoration technologies, and promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly in UNESCO priority regions. The initiative supports multiple UNESCO programs, including the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, and the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme.

The concept of stepwise ecological restoration was developed by Professor Junguo Liu, the appointed Chair Holder. Unlike traditional approaches that often attempt large-scale, one-time interventions, stepwise ecological restoration emphasizes adaptive, phased interventions based on the degradation intensity and recovery potential of ecosystems. It recognizes that ecosystems have different degradation stages and require tailored restoration pathways, allowing natural recovery processes to take place while human interventions are strategically applied to guide and accelerate restoration. This approach has proven particularly effective in water-stressed regions and degraded river systems, offering a cost-effective and sustainable pathway for ecological recovery.

The IAHS has played a crucial role in promoting this concept globally. In 2023, IAHS established a dedicated scientific working group on Stepwise Ecological Restoration of Watersheds under the decadal programme HELPING, which shares the same thematic focus as the newly created UNESCO Chair. This working group brings together leading hydrologists, ecologists, and restoration practitioners from around the world to advance research and develop practical guidelines for stepwise restoration implementation. The strong synergy between the IAHS working group and the UNESCO Chair creates a unique opportunity to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into practical solutions for watershed restoration worldwide.

The Chair warmly invites scientists, practitioners, and policymakers from all countries to collaborate in this global endeavour. By working together across disciplines and borders, the international community can develop more effective strategies to restore degraded watersheds, enhance water security, and build resilience against climate change. The UNESCO Chair, in close partnership with the IAHS HELPING Working Group, will serve as a global platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint innovation, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supporting ecosystem restoration efforts worldwide.

The Chair will also support watershed conservation and provide a platform for international cooperation in water governance, further strengthening the bridge between scientific innovation and practical application in watershed restoration.

February 2026

IAHS is pleased to announce the recipients of the International Hydrology Prize (Dooge medal and Volker medal) for 2026. 

The International Hydrology Prize is awarded annually by IAHS, with UNESCO and WMO, to two people who have made an outstanding contribution to hydrological sciences.

This year's prize selection was especially competitive, with 15 nominations received, making this one of the most distinguished pools of candidates we have ever seen. The 2026 recipients emerged at the top of this highly accomplished group of excellency. Their contributions to hydrology have not only advanced scientific understanding but have also had a significant global impact.

Nominations for the annual Prize are made by National Committees to IAHS, National Committees to the UNESCO-IHP or National Hydrological Advisors to the WMO, and forwarded to the Secretary General of IAHS for consideration by the Nomination Committee. The Committee consists of the President and a Vice-President of IAHS and representatives of UNESCO and WMO.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the IUGG General Assembly 2027 in Incheon, South Korea (16-22 July). 

We extend our warmest congratulations to the winners and express our deep appreciation to all nominees and nominators. Several of the candidates would undoubtedly have been awarded the prize in any other year, and we encourage renewed nominations in the future. This year’s process clearly demonstrates the value and prestige associated with the International Hydrology Prize and reaffirms its role in recognising the world’s leading hydrological scientists.

February 2026

Did you know the IAHS History of Hydrology has an active Wiki page?

The dedicated Wiki page for the IAHS History of Hydrology Working Group documents the group’s important contribution to preserving and promoting the historical development of hydrological sciences. This page is more than a reference point; it serves as a gateway for researchers, students, partners, and policymakers seeking authoritative information about IAHS and its scientific legacy. By strengthening our presence on platforms such as this, we enhance the visibility, accessibility, and long-term impact of our work.

In addition, the History of Hydrology is also available on our IAHS YouTube channel as a dedicated playlist. The playlist brings together recorded discussions that explore the evolution of hydrological thought, key figures in the field, and the milestones that have shaped our discipline.

We encourage members to explore, share, and contribute to these resources. Together, we can ensure that the rich history of hydrology continues to inform and inspire the next generation of scientists. The IAHS History of Hydrology Working Group is looking for members to contribute. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with Okke Batelaan, Chair of the History of Hydrology Working Group.