Monitoring the Water Resource in New Caledonia
Towards a diagnosis of hydrological practices and the strengthening of the hydrometric capacity of the Overseas Countries and Territories
Global theme of March 22nd, 2021, water is one of the four themes of the PROTEGE project.
DAVAR NC's Water Department (SDE) is currently conducting a report on hydrological practices using a shared diagnosis. It also identifies the OCT’s priorities in order to implement, within PROTEGE, a prioritized action plan to meet their needs.
In New Caledonia, a technical day took place on March 1st on the Coulée’s river bringing together the PROTEGE team of SPC and the SDE of DAVAR NC. It enabled exchanges on the devices and technologies used in New Caledonia for monitoring the water resource. The SDE officers showcased the tools used and the technical solutions adapted on site to deal with the tropical reality of the field.
The SDE officers carried out a flow measurement demonstration with a reel and a doppler current profiler. They also explained the use of a cable car to carry out measurements when the river is flooded. These various measurements are part of the continuous monitoring of the river's water height, carried out through a limnimetric probe, submerged 24/7 in the stream, with almesu recording every 6 minutes.
The station visited is also equipped with a rain recorder with tilting buckets, which allow to collect rain data, used to carry out hydrological reports (link between rainfall/ flow of the stream). This rain recorder is associated with a totalizer rain gauge, which allows, in case of electronic failure, to collect a cumulative rainfall data. All of these measures are also teletransmitted via GSM, allowing hydrological reports to be carried out in times of drought or floods (https://davar.gouv.nc/ressource-en-eau-mesures-et-etudes-etudes/les-etudes-hydrologiques). The hydrological data is used in reference for impact studies, sizing of water infrastructures, or characterization of hazards related to floods or droughts.
New Caledonia has 60 years of experience in quantitative monitoring of the water resource. Through the sharing of experience, know-how and good practices, the DAVAR’s Water Department (SDE) is able to assist other OCTs in strengthening their hydrology skills (guides, training, advice on the purchase of piezometry, limnimetry and rainfall equipment).
Photos: hydrometry - River of the Coulée- New Caledonia (photos taken before the lockdown in New Caledonia)
Photos: rainfall - River of the Coulée - New Caledonia (photo taken before the lockdown of New Caledonia)
