ClearWater – Smart Monitoring and Hydrological Modelling for Adaptive Reservoir Management under Global Change in South Africa and Cuba

Reservoirs play a critical role in securing water for domestic supply, agriculture, energy production, and ecosystem conservation. In both South Africa and Cuba, increasing climate variability, prolonged droughts, water quality degradation, and ageing infrastructure are placing growing pressure on reservoir systems. These challenges highlight the need for more adaptive approaches to water management that can respond to changing environmental conditions and emerging risks.

ClearWater seeks to strengthen climate-resilient reservoir management through the integration of smart monitoring technologies, hydrological modelling, remote sensing, and citizen science. The project combines low-cost IoT sensors, Earth observation data, and advanced modelling tools to improve understanding of water quantity and water quality dynamics within reservoir catchments and support evidence-informed decision-making.

The project focuses on two case studies located within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve in South Africa and the Buena Vista Biosphere Reserve in Cuba. Through collaboration with water authorities, local communities, schools, and environmental managers, the initiative promotes knowledge co-production and strengthens the connections between scientific research, environmental monitoring, and water governance.

A central component of the project is the application of UNESCO’s Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) framework. Through participatory risk assessments and stakeholder dialogues, the project explores adaptive pathways for reservoir management under climate uncertainty. The collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the University of the Western Cape, and Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas also contributes to the development of the UNESCO UNITWIN Open Water Network, strengthening long-term cooperation on open water science, climate resilience, and sustainable water governance.