In Spring 2026, the Surface and Groundwater Archives (SAGA) Committee hosted a two‑part webinar series showcasing the UK’s key hydrological data archives and operational tools. The sessions provided an overview of how long‑term hydrological information is collected, curated, accessed, and are applied to support research, water‑resource planning, and environmental assessment. 

These webinars were designed for:

  • UK Measuring Authority staff
  • Researchers and academics
  • Water‑resource managers
  • Policy makers
  • Anyone interested in hydrological data, monitoring, and forecasting

They provide a comprehensive introduction to the UK’s hydrological data landscape and demonstrate how national archives and operational tools can support evidence‑based decision‑making.

You can view the webinar recordings below.

Webinar 1: The National River Flow Archive and National Groundwater Level Archive

Recorded: 17 March 2026

The NRFA and NGLA are the cornerstone national archives for long‑term river flow and groundwater level data in the UK. This session introduces the purpose and scope of both archives, explains how hydrological data are collected, quality assured, and maintained, and demonstrates how users can access and apply these datasets in research and water‑resource planning. It also outlines recent developments and future plans to enhance data accessibility and functionality.

Webinar 2: UK Hydrological Monitoring and Outlook Tools

Recorded: 23 April 2026

The webinar introduced the UK National Hydrological Monitoring Programme (NHMP) and UK Hydrological Outlook, explaining how they monitor current hydrological conditions, place extremes in historical context, and produce seasonal forecasts to support drought and flood assessment. It also showcased the UK Water Resources Portal and Hydrological Outlooks Portal, demonstrating how near‑real‑time data and seasonal outlooks are used to understand and anticipate hydrological conditions and water resource pressures across the UK.