Streamflow Rate (OI9202)

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.