Renowned hydrologist Günter Blöschl has been awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025 for his contributions to flood risk management and water resource engineering. The Prize Committee announced the award for his research on climate-induced flood risks, which has advanced global flood prediction and mitigation strategies.
Blöschl’s research has deepened the understanding of floods, revealing that the past two decades have been more flood-prone than previous centuries. His work, based on large-scale hydrological data, has led to innovative flood estimation and adaptation strategies, influencing climate policies worldwide.
Who is Günter Blöschl?
Born in Vienna, Günter Blöschl is a leading figure in hydrology and water resource management. He’s a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, heading the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management. He also serves as Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems, a research initiative he founded over 15 years ago.
Blöschl’s career spans the United States, Canada, and Australia. He has collaborated with top hydrologists, including past Stockholm Water Prize laureates Taikan Oki and Andrea Rinaldo. His 500-year flood database has been instrumental in analyzing historical flood patterns, providing insights into flood frequency, severity, and climate change correlations.
His expertise extends to regional process hydrology, a field he pioneered, examining the influence of climate, geography, and human activity on water systems. He’s also the co-founder of sociohydrology, a field exploring the interactions between society and water resources, helping policymakers make informed decisions on flood control and disaster preparedness.
Stockholm water prize, ‘Nobel Prize of Water’
The Stockholm Water Prize is a prestigious global honour in water research, often called the “Nobel Prize of Water”. It is awarded annually by the Stockholm Water Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to water sustainability.
The Prize Committee praised Blöschl for his groundbreaking research in flood hydrology:
“Professor Günter Blöschl is the world’s leading flood hydrologist. His work has revealed that flood risks are increasing due to climate change and regional flood processes. His observation-based studies have provided insights into the rising frequency of extreme floods over the past two decades.”
Blöschl will receive the award from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the official patron of the Prize, during the World Water Week in Stockholm this August.
Transforming flood risk management
Blöschl’s research has transformed global flood risk management. His hydrological models and flood databases have influenced international flood policies, improving disaster preparedness, forecasting, and water management.
His key findings highlight that floods are increasing in frequency and intensity due to changing climate patterns. His studies show that floods are no longer local phenomena but part of a larger, interconnected global climate system, requiring adaptive solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Blöschl’s contributions to hydrology and water science have earned him multiple international accolades. He’s a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, an honorary professor at Hohai University, China, and has held key positions in organisations like the International Association of Hydrological Sciences.
His numerous scientific publications, books, and research projects have set new standards in hydrology and flood risk management. He has also mentored young researchers and advocated for improved water policies worldwide.
As the world faces climate challenges, Blöschl’s research guides global efforts in flood mitigation, sustainable water management, and climate adaptation. His work serves as a foundation for future water engineering strategies, ensuring communities are better prepared for extreme weather events.
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