NRB Canada
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Canadian Northern Research Basins Committee


Mandates of the IHP Working Group on
Northern research basins

The IHP Regional Working Group on Northern Research Basins (NRB) is established under the general aegis of the International Hydrological Program and its cooperating agencies. The regions include those watersheds where snow, ice, and frozen ground have a dominant role in the hydrologic regime. Membership of the Working Group is open to all countries with land territories lying north of the Arctic Circle. Each member country can send up to ten delegates to an NRB meeting, and the host country can nominate additional attendants as observers. Attendance is open also to observers from non-member countries. The chief delegate of the host country acts as the Chair for the interval from the conclusion of the previous meeting until the end of the meeting hosted by his country. 


The objectives of the Working Group are as follows:

  • to gain a better understanding of hydrologic processes, particularly those in which snow, ice, and frozen ground have a major influence on the hydrological regime, and to determine the relative importance of each component of the water balance;
  • to provide data for the development and testing of transposable models which may be applied to regional, national and international water and land resource programmes;
  • to relate hydrologic processes to the chemical and biological evolution of northern basins;
  • to assess and predict the effect of Man's activities on the hydrologic regime in northern environments;
  • to encourage the exchange of personnel (technicians, scientists, research officers and others) among participating countries;
  • to provide information for the improvement and standardization of measurement techniques and network design in northern regions;
  • to encourage exchange of information on a regular basis and
  • to set up task forces to promote research initiatives on topics of special interest to northern research basins.


Meeting of members of participating countries should be held at regular intervals (minimum once every two years).


Appendix A: Mandates of the IHP Working Group on Northern Research Basins. 9th International Northern Research Basins Symposium/Workshop. Canada, 1992. NHRI Symposium No. 10, T.D. Prowse, C.S.L. Ommanney, and K.E. Ulmer (editors), p. 885-886.


Mandates for NRB task forces


  1. The objective of an NRB Task Force is to continue liaison among member countries between NRB meetings, through investigation of an area of mutual concern.
  2. A Task Force is constituted for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a maximum of two additional years. The Task Force is created during an NRB meeting, with a minimum participation of four member countries.
  3. The Chair of the Task Force is appointed by the member country which proposes the subject for the Task Force. The Chair will confirm membership from supporting countries within one month of the NRB meeting.
  4. A work plan should be formulated by the Task Force within one month of its creation. The plan is to include the objectives, the investigation approach and tangible outputs of the Task Force.
  5. Membership and work plan of the Task Force must be approved by the Chief Delegates of the participating countries.
  6. A progress report is to be distributed to the Chief Delegates at the end of the first year. Modifications are to be made to the work plan as appropriate.
  7. A final report is to be delivered to the Chief Delegates one month before the next NRB meeting so that it may be distributed to the delegates in advance of the meeting.
  8. A summary presentation is to be made by the Chair of the Task Force at the NRB meeting.
  9. It is highly desirable that a proposed Task Force be identified and the concept circulated among Chief Delegates prior to an NRB meeting.

Source : 9th International Northern Research Basins Symposium/Workshop, Canada , 1992. NHRI Symposium No. 10, T.D. Prowse, C.S.L. Ommanney and K.E. Ulmer (editors), p. 891-892.