International Cooperation
Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in water resources technology began in 1987, when the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States and the American Institute in Taiwan jointly signed the “Technical Assistance Agreement for Water Resources Development” (originally titled the “Technical Assistance Agreement for Dam Design and Construction”). Over the years, cooperation has covered Appendices 1 through 8. At present, activities are carried out primarily under Appendices 6 and 8, focusing respectively on reservoir and dam engineering and related technologies, and on river restoration and sediment management.
Over the years, the two sides have built extensive experience through technical reviews, numerical modeling, professional training, and knowledge exchange in areas including dam design and construction, reservoir operation and maintenance, water resources management, and river management.
After decades of development, Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in water resources technology will mark its 40th anniversary in 2027. The partnership has evolved from an early model centered mainly on U.S. technical assistance into one featuring two-way exchange and joint research. Cooperation has covered reservoirs including Shimen, Baoshan No. 2, Liyutan, Hushan, Zengwen, Nanhua, and Mudan. In response to emerging water resources challenges such as climate change, reservoir safety, watershed management, and smart water resources management, both sides continue to advance technical cooperation based on practical needs.
Areas of Cooperation
Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in water resources technology is currently carried out mainly through Appendices 6 and 8, with activities including expert exchanges, technical consultation, training, field visits, and case studies tailored to specific cooperation topics.
Appendix 6 focuses primarily on reservoir safety and engineering technologies, including reservoir risk analysis, smart water resources management and operation, and the introduction and application of new installation technologies for monitoring equipment. Drawing on the professional experience and technical consultation of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, this cooperation helps strengthen domestic capabilities in reservoir safety assessment, monitoring technologies, and management practices (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
Appendix 8 focuses on the development and enhancement of the SRH-ONE numerical model and its validation through case studies in Taiwan. Ongoing work includes strengthening simulation capabilities related to debris flows, estuaries, and sediment transport, with applications to cases such as the Laonong River, Tamsui River, and Zhuoshui River. In parallel, developments in real-time watershed modeling, high-performance computing, and disaster simulation are being incorporated to expand the use of numerical modeling in watershed management, flood management, and sediment transport analysis. Relevant Taiwan case studies are also planned for inclusion in the SRH-ONE technical manual as references for future model applications and technical exchange.
Technical Exchange and Seminars
In support of work under the respective Appendices, Taiwan-U.S. technical exchange and seminar activities are organized to bring together water resources experts and scholars from Taiwan, government representatives, and practitioners for technical presentations and discussions with experts from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Seminar topics are planned according to the scope of cooperation and practical needs. Under Appendix 6, major topics include reservoir safety monitoring, dam safety assessment, smart water resources management, and adaptation of water infrastructure. Appendix 8 focuses on watershed numerical modeling, sediment transport, estuarine and coastal modeling, real-time disaster simulation, and AI applications in water resources. Through case studies and technical discussions, these activities help connect research findings with practical applications.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, the Taiwan-U.S. water resources cooperation mechanism will continue to serve as an important platform for international technical exchange. In response to domestic water management needs and changes in the water resources environment, the cooperation will continue to introduce emerging international technologies and practical experience while integrating Taiwan’s research and engineering achievements to further expand areas of bilateral cooperation.
Future cooperation will continue to focus on key issues including reservoir safety, smart monitoring and decision support, sediment management, flood risk management, and climate change adaptation. Through technical seminars, training, field exchanges, and annual meetings, both sides will work to apply the results of technical cooperation to water resources management and engineering practice, while sharing Taiwan’s achievements in water engineering and continuing to deepen international cooperation and technical exchange.