The Ministry of Mines and Energy, through its Department of Mines and Exploration, has trained a new Boat Operator for the Liberia Hydrological Service (LHS). This initiative is part of efforts to enhance LHS’s capacity to collect and share critical water resource data to support informed decision-making in areas such as flood preparedness, drainage system design, hydropower development, and agriculture.
The Boat Operator’s training was included in a two-day capacity-building exercise led by LHS
Director Wainta Gwaikolo-Mayson.
Day one of the training was held at the Ministry’s central office and focused on theoretical and technical briefings while day two took participants into the field for hands-on practical training.
Field activities involved instruction in essential hydrological practices, including measuring water levels with a staff gauge and tripod—a standard surveying tool—and using the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to measure river flow and discharge rates.
The ADCP employs sound waves to determine water velocity and flow characteristics.
Participants, including LHS engineers and technicians, were also trained in methods for
processing and analyzing hydrological data collected during fieldwork.
At the conclusion of the training, Director Gwaikolo-Mayson thanked the Ministry’s senior
management for their support.
She emphasized the importance of regularly conducting such training sessions, highlighting the crucial role water resource management plays in the nation’s development.
