Introduction


In 1993, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) initiated design of the Water Resources Database (WRDB) to address the imposing data management challenges presented by the Chattahoochee River Modeling Project.  These challenges included a vast amount of data to be handled, a wide variety of data types to be accommodated, and a diversity of information sources each providing important data often in incompatible formats.  These circumstances were further complicated by factors like:  insufficient in-house expertise in the technical aspects of database design; a general lack of success with the effective use of existing national databases; and, the fact that expected WRDB users possessed an assortment of professional specialties and a variety of software skill levels.

As software development progressed, it soon became clear that the WRDB could easily serve a host of general data management needs beyond those of this particular modeling project.  Accordingly, the WRDB was recast as a general-purpose instrument for addressing a variety of everyday data management problems typically faced by environmental practitioners.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IV) provided funds to support its development as a general-purpose tool. Beginning in 2009, the Panama Canal Authority also began supporting WRDB enhancements including those which ultimately lead to the development of WRDB 7.1.

WRDB is a Microsoft Windows application utilizing the .Net Framework. It consists of low-level libraries used by a variety of applications (WRDB, Graph, GIS, etc.) and both a Windows client or Web user interface. WRDB supports many popular database backends including Access, SQLite, Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL and can be used by individuals, work groups, or enterprises.

This web site was developed to introduce WRDB concepts and provide a convenient location for downloading the latest version of the software and documentation. The software was developed by Dr. Lloyd Chris Wilson, P.E., of Wilson Engineering in St. Louis, Missouri. If you are not associated with Georgia EPD, Region IV EPA, or the Panama Canal Authority, please contact Dr. Wilson for information on software development and support options.

Acknowledgements:

With his unique understanding of EPD’s data needs, Dr. Burke provided significant guidance throughout the design of the computational code and user interface. His valuable contributions are acknowledged. In addition, Mr. Paul Lamarre of EPD is acknowledged as the contract administrator for many of the projects, and for his careful testing of the software.

Region IV EPA supported much of the development of this software either directly or through grants to GaEPD. Mr. Jim Greenfield and Mr. Tim Wool provided helpful direction and feedback.

Tetra Tech, Inc., has been a strong proponent and contributor to the overall development of WRDB. Mr. Brian Watson and many other staff members are gratefully acknowledged.

The Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (Panama Canal Authority) provided valuable financial support for WRDB versions 5.1 through the current version. Mr. Iván Domínguez was the project manager and also directed development of enterprise features added in WRDB 6.0; his contributions as well as those of his staff and management are gratefully acknowledged.

Disclaimer:

This version has been carefully checked for computational accuracy. However, neither the EPD, EPA, nor the developer assumes responsibility or liability for the application of this computer program.