Camilo Gonzalez

Effective water resource management in hydrologically diverse regions requires the integration of advanced decision-support systems with collaborative approaches. This study presents the development and application of the ERA TOOL, a hydroinformatics platform designed to evaluate water resources across multiple jurisdictions in Colombia. Initially developed through collaboration between the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and regional environmental authorities (CARs), the tool has been implemented for four CARs and is currently being adapted for a fifth, highlighting its scalability and adaptability to diverse hydrological and institutional contexts.The ERA TOOL builds on the framework of the Regional Water Assessment (ERA, by its acronym in Spanish), a process mandated by Colombian policy to assess water availability, quality, and vulnerability while addressing anthropogenic pressures. By integrating localized hydrological modeling using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system and geospatial analyses, the tool provides a comprehensive Decision Support System (DSS) for evaluating current conditions and projecting future scenarios under climate variability and increasing demands.Key features of the ERA TOOL include dynamic visualizations of regional indicators such as flow duration curves, groundwater recharge, and surface water availability and quality indicators, all presented through an intuitive, interactive interface. The platform also facilitates the co-design of solutions by incorporating feedback from stakeholders during its development and deployment. This collaborative process ensures that the tool meets the specific needs of each CAR, enhancing institutional capacity and fostering a shared understanding of water resource dynamics.The implementation across multiple CARs has demonstrated the versatility of the ERA TOOL in addressing diverse regional climates and challenges, from hydrological extremes to water allocation and quality management. By linking data-driven insights with participatory processes, the tool has empowered decision-makers to implement evidence-based strategies that promote equitable and sustainable water governance. All platforms developed are freely accessible, with the latest version available for consultation at the following link: https://latinoamericasei.shinyapps.io/ERA_CARDER/.This ongoing initiative underscores the potential for replicating and adapting hydroinformatics solutions across regions with varying hydrological and institutional conditions. It provides a model for leveraging innovative tools and participatory research to bridge gaps between technical expertise and practical application in water resource management.

Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, wherein the broader impacts of individual decisions are overlooked. To overcome these limitations, this paper explores the design and implementation of a Serious Game (SG) aimed at coproducing a watershed management plan at the basin scale within the specific context of the Campoalegre River basin in Colombia. By providing an interactive platform, the SG facilitates collaboration between local actors, who may be unfamiliar with existing watershed plans, and decision-makers. The goal is to create a participatory space where stakeholders can comprehend the watershed management plan structure and prioritize actions based on various climatic, social, and economic conditions. Following the application of the SG, stakeholders demonstrated an improved understanding of the basin, fostering increased participation, open debate, and the proposal of actions. These outcomes serve as valuable inputs for the implementation of water management planning policies, showcasing the potential of SGs in bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering effective multi-stakeholder engagement.

Multi-stakeholder participation processes in watershed management face challenges due to limited monitoring and baseline data, resulting in a lack of awareness among stakeholders about the current state of the watershed. This knowledge gap often leads to conflicts of interest, where the broader impacts of individual decisions are overlooked. To overcome these limitations, this paper explores the design and implementation of a Serious Game (SG) aimed at co-producing a watershed management plan at the basin scale within the specific context of the Campoalegre River basin in Colombia. By providing an interactive platform, the SG facilitates collaboration between local actors, who may be unfamiliar with existing watershed plans, and decision-makers. The goal is to create a participatory space where stakeholders can comprehend the watershed management plan structure and prioritize actions based on various climatic, social, and economic conditions. Following the application of the SGs, stakeholders demonstrated an improved understanding of the basin, fostering increased participation, open debate, and the proposal of actions. These outcomes serve as valuable inputs for the implementation of water management planning policies, showcasing the potential of SGs in bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering effective multi-stakeholder engagement.