Rate of flowing water in a stream or river on land directly or indirectly managed by the organization as of the end of the reporting period.
Organizations should footnote all assumptions used, including source(s) of data.
This metric is intended to capture the volume of water flowing through a stream or river per unit time, typically measured in cubic feet per second or cubic meters per second.
These data are often calculated based on models such as MIKE-SHE/BASIN (https://www.mikepoweredbydhi.com/products/mike-she), RIBASIM (https://www.deltares.nl/en/software/ribasim/), and WEAP (https://www.weap21.org/). To calibrate models, investors may consult resources such as Water Canary (https://www.watercanary.com/). Further data can be found from sources such as HydroAtlas (https://www.hydrosheds.org/page/hydroatlas) and Conservation Gateway's Global Streamflow Databases (https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/Freshwater/EnvironmentalFlows/MethodsandTools/ELOHA/Pages/Global-Streamflow-Databases.aspx).
Organizations may report this metric in conjunction with Land Indirectly Controlled: Total (PI3789) and Land Directly Controlled: Total (OI5408).
In some contexts, this metric can serve as an indicator of whether the outcome being sought by an investor or organization is occurring (the WHAT dimension of impact). For more on the alignment of IRIS metrics to the five dimensions of impact, see IRIS+ and the Five Dimensions of Impact (https://iris.thegiin.org/document/iris-and-the-five-dimensions/). No single metric is sufficient to understand an impact; rather, metrics are selected as a set across all dimensions of impact. When possible, the selection of metrics to measure and describe the five dimensions should be based on best practice and evidence.
June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
New metric. Streamflow Rate (OI9202) was developed via the IRIS+ Sustainable Water Management Expert Subgroup.
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).