Free and open source software, due to liberal licensing and source code accessibility, seems to
be perfect environment for science and research. Development of software with such license
is supported by the biggest commercial companies, but also by local self-governments of
countries like Switzerland, Italy or Spain. QGIS program can read and write most popular raster
and vector formats, and works as web services client. Program was also integrated with i.a.
GRASS GIS system and statistical environment R. QGIS is simple, yet powerful tool, which
can be useful in hydrology and water management.
