The Red River Basin Disaster Information Network

The Red River Basin Disaster Information Network (RRBDIN) is being developed to promote the use of collaborative information technologies in support of floodplain management practices within the Red River Basin. The goal is to create a sustainable, web-based presence that is relevant to a broad range of interests - from local residents to raw data providers. The RRBDIN web site has been developed under joint sponsorship from the International Joint Commission and the Global Disaster Information Network. Local constituents who participated in workshops that were held within the Basin following the 1997 Flood made it clear that sustainable access to relevant data and information was critically needed. The effectiveness and efficiency of an Internet-based system that could provide users with a means to obtain necessary data and the ability to use decision making tools for floodplain management, disaster relief and mitigation is being developed and tested as part of this developmental effort. Particularly important is the ability of such a system to deliver information during a real emergency. It is anticipated that this approach will provide an interactive and iterative process for building basin-wide information resources that specifically addresses improved communications and enhanced cooperative opportunities.