Foreword

Since 1998,Bureau of Hydrology（BOH）of Ministry of Water Resources of China（MWR）has been committed in developing a set of standardized,modularized and centralized flood forecast system.Using unified databases together with customer/server environments as the basis,and geographic information system（GIS）as platform,combined with modularized and open structures to build forecasting models with method bases that can quickly establish forecasting schemes;and taking advantage of independent model calibration systems and flexible real-time interactive forecast system to make comparative analyses on several models and schemes and speedily accomplish flood forecasting of large numbers of sections in drainage basins and river systems.

The year of 2006 witnessed the formal completion and application of the National Flood Forecast System of China（NFFS）,as well as its successive popularization throughout the country.With high universalizability,comprehensive functions and user-friendly controls,NFFS can achieve flood forecasting of forecast periods and different precisions for major control stations of rivers,key reservoirs and detention areas,providing scientific supports for different local and national sectors to make decisions on flood preventions and controls.It offers numerous flood forecasting achievements with long forecast periods and high precision for heavy floods in the Yangtze River,the Yellow River,the Huaihe River,the Pearl River,the Songhua River and the Taihu Basins in recent years,playing a significant role in improving national real-time flood forecasting techniques and promoting non-structural measures for flood controls and disaster reductions.

In light of the leading technologies and rich experience of China on real-time flood forecasting,along with popularization and application of NFFS in several member countries of the Typhoon Committee,BOH decides to translate the book,Researches and Practices of Key Techniques of the Flood Forecast System,into English and published.The original book comprises two parts.The first part mainly states key techniques,model parameter calibration technology and human-computer interactive forecasting techniques of NFFS.The second part mainly introduces major functions and operation sequences of NFFS,as well as some common flood forecasting models and methods.In accordance with practical requirements,only the second part has been translated this time.The English version consists of 6 chapters.Translated by Sun Long,Chapter 1 to Chapter 3 introduce installations and configurations of NFFS,as well as its functions of system managements and information searches.Translated by Hu Jianwei,Chapter 4 introduces the establishments of flood forecasting schemes and parameter calibration function.Translated by Zhao Lanlan,Chapter 5 introduces real-time flood forecasting functions and operations.Translated by Zhu Bing,Chapter 6 introduces some common flood forecasting models and methods.Translation checks of the whole English text are in the charge of Zhu Bing.

Due to time constraints and limited translation competence,there might be some deficiencies and limitations in the contents.Criticisms and corrections from readers and our counterparts will be highly appreciated.

Translators

February 2017