International Hydrological Programme

World-wide Hydrogeological Mapping and Assessment Programme (WHYMAP)

Due to water shortage problems on local, regional and even global levels, the interest in groundwater has increased considerably during the past decades. In order to support the sustainable management of groundwater resources, it is necessary to map, model and quantify the stored volume and average annual replenishment of groundwater, while determining its chemical quality.

The World-wide Hydrogeological Mapping and Assessment Programme (WHYMAP) was created in 1999 in order to contribute to worldwide efforts towards better managing the Earth’s water resources, particularly groundwater. It is a joint programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW), the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).

BGR, together with the partners above, is gradually building up a geo-information system (WHYMAP GIS) in which the groundwater data are managed and visualized.

The goals of the programme are to:

  • collect, collate and visualize hydrogeological information at the global scale to convey groundwater-related information in a way appropriate for global discussion on water issues and to emphasize the presence of underground water resources

  • bring together the huge efforts in hydrogeological mapping, at regional, national and continental levels.


PUBLICATIONS
Groundwater resources of
the world and their use
[PDF format – 10 MB]
This monograph represents a major undertaking by hydrologists and hydrogeologists around the world. It represents a multicultural approach to groundwater resources and their use and aims to contribute to a better understanding of the crucial role played by groundwater resources in support of both the ecosystems and mankind.

Maps on Groundwater Resources of the World

The maps visualize hydrogeological information collected within the WHYMAP project at a global scale.
LINKS
UNESCO publishes first world map of underground transboundary aquifers UNESCO is publishing the first-ever world map of shared aquifers to coincide with the submission to the General Assembly of the United Nations on 27 October 2008 of a draft Convention on Transboundary Aquifers. Almost 96% of the planet’s freshwater resources are to be found in underground aquifers, most of which straddle national boundaries.

Atlas of hidden water may avert future conflict
Read more about this article by Catherine Brahic, published on 24 October 2008 by the New Scientist (NewScientist.com News Service), on 'one of the world's greatest and most precious natural resources, yet are entirely hidden', and how this 'atlas of hidden water may avert future conflict'.