JCAR-ATRACE for transboundary water management

The Dutch knowledge institute Deltares is leading the five-year international research programme JCAR ATRACE, which aims to improve flood and drought management in cross-border regional river basins. The programme began in November 2023. Programme manager Kymo Slager shares what has been achieved so far and what is still on the agenda.

The international research programme JCAR-ATRACE seeks to enhance international cooperation. Its full name is: Joint Cooperation Programme for Applied Scientific Research (JCAR) to Accelerate Transboundary Regional Adaptation to Climate Extremes (ATRACE). The programme began in November 2023 and will conclude in November 2028. It is coordinated by Deltares, with at least eight research institutes from Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands participating. The goal is to support regional governments in better preparing for extreme climate events and to further strengthen the network among the institutes.

Conflicting interests

There are various challenges in international water management. Slager explains: “There can be conflicting interests because measures taken upstream may have downstream consequences. Fortunately, there are good examples of successful cross-border cooperation. Think of recent projects along the Meuse that is flowing through Flanders and the Netherlands. In the Benelux, we’re also working on a joint water agenda. International river commissions and the European Commission also play an important role. Additionally, there’s growing attention to the issues in the catchment areas of smaller rivers and streams.”

Knowledge gap for streams and smaller rivers

“JCAR-ATRACE was initiated in response to the floods in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 2021. Due to the flooding and high-water levels in the Netherlands, the Dutch government, along with water sector partners, established an evaluation on the floodings. One of its recommendations was to conduct cross-border research on the Geul, the Roer, and other regional waters that flow into the Netherlands from Germany and Belgium. We especially lack a good understanding of how smaller rivers react during large-scale extreme weather. For example, we don’t yet have a clear picture of how all the dams in the Roer and the Eifel function under extreme conditions. This research programme can help fill that knowledge gap. It has political and administrative support in the Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, and within the Benelux framework,” says Slager.

International collaboration

The research programme aims to expand the knowledge base on smaller rivers and intensify international cooperation regarding them. “Current early warning systems aren’t suitable for providing the necessary information during extreme flooding in smaller waters. The 2021 floods in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands made that clear. As part of this project, we maintain close contact with regional governments and regional water authorities. The knowledge developed within the programme can therefore also be put into practice. Ultimately, the knowledge we gain through this project should lead to more intensive international cooperation between governments to better manage flooding and drought. That’s why we maintain regular dialogue with international governments.”

Preventing water system collapse

“In the past two to three years, something seems to happen almost every month in Europe that we have never seen before. For instance, in Valencia, and back in September 2024 in Central Europe. These weather extremes are becoming increasingly widespread, affecting larger areas. For that reason, cross-border cooperation is becoming ever more important. And it’s not only about international collaboration. In Germany, for example, federal states (BundesLänder) want to improve cooperation among themselves. Moreover, we’ll have to change how we work in the future. Traditionally, we developed our flood protection measures based on historical statistics, but that approach may no longer be sufficient in a changing climate. Now, we must ensure that the water system doesn’t collapse when something goes wrong.”

International research network

In October 2024, JCAR ATRACE has entered a new phase. Slager explains: “Eight young, international researchers started working at their respective universities on research projects in various countries. They’ll focus on topics of interest in the border regions. Students from those universities are also involved. The researchers and students will regularly meet in person over the next few years. The aim is for them to form a community. That’s very important because these are the water managers of the future. Thanks to the connections made during JCAR ATRACE, they’ll know how to find each other in the future as well.”