Each year, the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), together with the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme of UNESCO (IHP-UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), honours two scientists with the International Hydrology Prize for their outstanding contributions to hydrological science.
The 2025 International Hydrology Prize ceremony, held during the XIIth Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), marked one of the most inspiring moments of this year's global hydrological community gathering.
The event took place within the dynamic Assembly themed "Science for Water Crisis Solutions", bringing together leading experts, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to exchange insights on addressing today's most pressing water challenges.
Honoring outstanding contributions to hydrology
Jointly awarded by IAHS, UNESCO, and WMO, the International Hydrology Prize recognizes scientists who have made exceptional and internationally acclaimed contributions to advancing and applying hydrological science. Since its establishment in 1979, and with the introduction of two distinct medals in 2014, the Prize has become a symbol of global excellence and collaboration in understanding and managing the world's water systems.
The Dooge Medal honours fundamental scientific achievements that have advanced the theoretical foundations of hydrology, while the Volker Medal celebrates applied contributions that have translated hydrological science into tangible benefits for society and sustainable development.
2025 Laureates
The Dooge Medal was awarded to Professor John W. Pomeroy (Canada) for his critical advancements that have improved our understanding of climate warming, the cryosphere, hydrological processes, and hydrological predictions in cold regions and ungauged basins around the world. The Volker Medal was presented to Professor Giuliano Di Baldassarre (Sweden) in recognition of his outstanding original contributions that have significantly benefited society by addressing critical issues of public interest and development, such as coupled human-flood and human-drought interactions.
The IAHS Scientific Assembly provides a unique platform for interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students to discuss the latest developments in water science and management. Topics range from water conservation and quality to water governance, disaster risk reduction, and the impacts of climate change.
WMO's commitment to advancing operational hydrology
As the United Nations specialized agency for operational hydrology, WMO plays a leading role in strengthening the science-policy interface for water. Its work spans the entire value chain of inland water management, from real-time measurement, data collection, processing, and modeling to the development of forecasts, analyses, and warnings that inform decisions by governments, disaster agencies, and communities. WMO supports National Hydrological Services (NHSs) in its Member States and Territories to enhance their operational capabilities, improve service delivery, and reduce human and economic losses linked to water-related hazards.
More on WMO's work on Hydrological Services
