Hydrometeorological - hydrometric station network design using multicriteria decision analysis and GIS techniques

Abstract The design of an optimum hydrometeorological and hydrometric station network constitutes a key factor for the collection of comprehensive and reliable hydrometeorological and flow data that are necessary both for decision making in water resources policy and management and for the hydrometeorological risk assessment. This article describes a methodology developed in a geographic information system (GIS) assisted by a multicriteria decision making (MCDM) approach, which combines a set of spatial criteria in order to propose suitable locations for such a station network installation. Through the design for two networks that meet different requirements, various aspects concerning this methodology are illustrated, such as, the methods regarding criteria classification and weighting, as well as, the effect of weighting itself on the location rating. In particular, the implementation is performed for the Sarantapotamos river basin, an area located in the western part of Attica region, Greece, which is characterized by a great diversity of economic activities, mainly industrial, rural and urban fabric in the lowlands. Finally, the analysis indicates that, in terms of station density as proposed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the optimum hydrometeorological station network consists of three stations and the hydrometric one of two stations.