GIS Application to Water Quality Management in the Upper Volga River Basin: Joint TVA/Russia Project
The Water Problem Institute of the Russian Academy of Science and the Tennessee Valley Authority are participating in a joint project to demonstrate the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in managing water resources under the changing economic system in Russia. The purpose is to improve decisions by better organizing, analyzing, and presenting water resource data and management options. Results to date include development of a conceptual approach and review of existing data. The project area includes the Upper Volga River Basin which encompasses the Moscow metropolitan area. Data are being managed at three levels depending on the scale and detail (i.e., regional, watershed, and local). Initial conclusions indicate a great potential for this technology, but many obstacles due to the current economic situation.