The Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) is an international archive of data up to 200 years old and fosters multinational and global long-term hydrological studies. Originally established three decades ago, the aim of the GRDC is to help earth scientists analyse global climate trends and assess environmental impacts and risks. Operating under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) the database of quality controlled “historical” mean daily and monthly discharge data grows steadily and currently comprises river discharge data of more than 9500 stations from 161 countries.
The exchange of hydrological data and information on a global scale is the principal reason for operating GRDC. National Hydrological and Hydro-Meteorological Services as primary providers of river discharge data and associated metadata and the scientific research community utilising this unique data collection are partners connected by GRDC. Positioned as a facilitator for exchanges between data providers and data users, the GRDC has become a focal point for international cooperation. Researchers, universities and other organizations make use of the facilities available for research programmes and projects.