Three micro-stations have been installed in the Paraná River Basin as part of the SEED-FD project. Developed by vorteX-io, two stations are located along the transboundary Paraná River and a third at Puerto Macuco on the Iguazu River, a tributary of the Paraná River. Together, they provide real-time measurements that support research on improving flood and drought forecasting in a region increasingly affected by climate extremes.
(Photos: Tech Enterprise)
The Paraná Basin as a SEED-FD Use Case
The Paraná River Basin in South America experiences both multi-year droughts and flash floods. At the same time, it is a key waterway, energy source and transport route for the region. The river is also strongly affected by the impacts of climate change. Hydrological monitoring data remain limited in the basin, which makes flood and drought forecasting challenging.
For these reasons, the region serves as one of SEED-FD’s use case areas. It offers a real-world environment to explore how forecasting of extreme hydrological events can be improved under complex and dynamic conditions.
Installing Micro-Stations Along Transboundary Rivers
Two vorteX-io micro-stations were recently installed by the company’s local technical partner Tech Enterprise at Puerto Paredón and Itatí / Itacorá. The locations lie about 300 kilometres apart along the transboundary Paraná River, which forms part of the border between Paraguay and Argentina.
The installation required extensive coordination to identify suitable locations and obtain the necessary permits, which involved several stakeholders responsible for managing the international waterway. Throughout this process, vorteX-io worked closely with COMIP, the bilateral commission managing the shared section of the Paraná River between Argentina and Paraguay.
A third micro-station was installed at Puerto Macuco on the Iguazu River, which flows into the Paraná River. At this location, the Iguazu River marks the border between Brazil and Argentina. The installation was carried out with the support and involvement of COMIP.
Real-Time Measurements Directly from the Paraná River Basin
The micro-stations collect multiple types of hydrological data directly from the river environment. Sensors measure water levels, surface velocity and water temperature, while integrated cameras capture images of river conditions.
Surface velocity measurements are particularly important because they allow the estimation of river discharge, a key hydrological metric. Together, these observations provide additional information about the behaviour of the river under changing conditions.
The collected data are accessible online to the SEED-FD team. These real-time observations will support the project through data assimilation and post-processing, contributing to further improvements in flood and drought forecasting.
Micro-Stations Supporting Preparedness for Extreme Weather Events
By integrating additional river observations, SEED-FD aims to improve the prediction of extreme hydrological events. More accurate forecasts can support decision-makers in civil protection, hydrological services and disaster risk management.
In the longer term, better forecasting capabilities can strengthen anticipatory action and preparedness. This helps authorities and communities better manage the risks associated with floods and droughts, contributing to stronger climate resilience in vulnerable regions worldwide.
Looking Ahead
The newly installed micro-stations provide valuable data that will support SEED-FD’s research on improving forecasts of extreme hydrological events. The insights gained from the Paraná River Basin will contribute to the project’s broader efforts to strengthen flood and drought preparedness, supporting better-informed decisions in water management, civil protection and disaster risk management.
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