The Delft-FEWS flow forecasting system
Since its introduction in 2002/2003, the current generation of the Delft-FEWS operational forecasting platform has found application in over forty operational centres. In these it is used to link data and models in real time, producing forecasts on a daily basis. In some cases it forms a building block of a country-wide national forecasting system using distributed client-server technology. In other cases it is applied at a much smaller scale on a simple desktop workstation, providing forecasts for a single basin. The flexibility of the software in open integration of models and data has additionally appealed to the research community. This paper discusses the principles on which the Delft-FEWS system has been developed, as well as a brief background of the architecture of the system and concepts used for storing and handling data. One of the key features of the system is its flexibility in integrating (third-party) models and data, and the available approaches to linking models and accessing data are highlighted. A brief overview of different applications of the system is given to illustrate how the software is used to support differing objectives in the domain of real time environmental modelling.
flow forecasting model integration hydrological modelling data standards operational hydrology