Skip to contentSkip to footer
News

New book: Michael Abbott’s Hydroinformatics

Book cover of Michael Abbot's book

A new, open-access book on hydroinformatics assesses current research and practice in the field and pays tribute to the field’s founding father, late IHE Delft Professor Michael B. Abbott.

The book, Michael Abbott’s Hydroinformatics: Poiesis of New Relationships with Water, relates current research and practice to the original ideas introduced by Abbott and re-visits the motivations for establishing the field of hydroinformatics.

“The book is a tribute to Mike’s contributions to hydroinformatics, and it provides an assessment of the current status of the field, perceived from within the context of Mike’s original ideas,” said the book’s editor, IHE Delft Associate Professor of Hydroinformatics Andreja Jonoski. “It highlights several aspects of hydroinformatics and assesses how these relate to Abbott’s work.” 

Starting from the origins of hydroinformatics in computational hydraulics, the book addresses aspects such as the role of modern artificial intelligence - primarily associated with data-driven modelling and machine learning, and the SHE (Système Hydrologique Européen) physically-based hydrological modelling system, which was developed and promoted by Abbott. IT-led transformations of water-modelling software and consultancy businesses are also presented, followed by related developments in water management in China. A separate chapter is devoted to hydroinformatics education – a field that was established at IHE Delft.

In addition, the book includes seven articles written by Abbott, selected to cover as much as possible of the wide spectrum of Abbott’s contributions to computational hydraulics and hydroinformatics. Abbott had a unique approach to the field, said Jonoski, who was supervised by Abbott in his PhD work.

Andreja Jonoski
His interweaving of water engineering with information and communication technology, philosophy, sociology, semiotics and religious literature was both puzzling and challenging. Understanding his vision required time and dedication, but for me this journey has been one of immense intellectual satisfaction and I consider myself truly privileged to have become one of his followers.
Andreja Jonoski

National University of Singapore Professor Vladan Babovic, editor of the International Water Association Publishing Digital Water Book Series the new book is part of, notes in the preface that hydroinformatics is a precursor of today’s digital water concept.  He recalls attending, as a student, a workshop called together by Abbott in 1990. Leading scientists and technologists specialised in hydraulics and hydrology discussed Abbott’s outline for a new subject area.

“The subject he called hydroinformatics,” Babovic said in the editorial. “As students we could not possibly foresee meteoric growth and the impact hydroinformatics would have on our field, and eventually, for many of us, on our own careers. Nevertheless, it was obvious that something significant was developing right in front of our own eyes.”