Water temperature is a key characteristic defining chemical, physical, and biologic conditions in riverine systems. Models of riverine water quality require many inputs, which are commonly beset by uncertainty. This study presents an uncertainty analysis of inputs to the stream-temperature simulation model HFLUX. This paper's assessment relies on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis with the DREAM algorithm, which has fast convergence rate and good accuracy. The inputs herein considered are the river width and depth, percent shade, view to sky, streamflow, and the minimum and maximum values of inputs required for uncertainty analysis. The results are presented as histograms for each input specifying the input's uncertainty. A comparison of the observational data with the DREAM algorithm estimates yielded a maximum error equal to 7.5%, which indicates excellent performance of the DREAM algorithm in ascertaining the effect of uncertainty in riverine water quality assessment.

Abstract: International organizations constitute the basis to increase water co-operation, prevent or reduce the possibility of conflicts between countries, and, were they to occur, achieve co-operation to resolve them. The proliferation of water-related conflicts, especially involving transboundary watersheds, the need for stakeholder co-operation, and the necessity of creating alliances between water organizations call for the formation of an organization to tackle the resolution of such conflicts. River Basin Organizations (RBOs) have been created in the water field in recent years, which have addressed a variety of water-related problems. Yet, there is no holistic agency at present tasked with the comprehensive review and resolution of water conflicts worldwide. This paper presents a plan to create an International Water Comprehensive Organization (IWCO) under the auspices of the United Nations that would address water conflicts worldwide, which would integrate other existing organizations with jurisdiction in the realm of water management. Furthermore, this work describes the objectives and needs for creating the IWCO, defines its structure, and outlines its main tasks and authorities. The IWCO would integrate existing water-related organizations for solving hydropolitical issues, and would provide logistic support leading to scientific and legal advances in the water field.