scholarly journals Low Water Stage Marks on Hunger Stones: Verification for the Elbe River in 1616–2015

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libor Elleder ◽  
Ladislav Kašpárek ◽  
Jolana Šírová ◽  
Tomas Kabelka
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
High Water ◽  
Hydrological Drought ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Elbe River ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Rock Outcrops ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
The Elbe River

Abstract. The paper deals with the issue of documenting hydrological drought with the help of drought marks (DMs) which have been preserved on dozens of hunger stones in the river channel of the Elbe in Bohemia and Saxony. So far, the hunger stones have been regarded rather as an illustration of dry seasons. Our aim was, among other issues, to draw attention to the much greater documentary value of hunger stones and individual dry year marks inscribed on them. Therefore, we wanted to verify their reliability and better understand the motivation of their authors. For this purpose, we used the current extreme drought period of 2014-2019 which allowed detailed documentation of hunger stone in Děčín with marks from 1536 to 2003. Thanks to the helpful position of the object near the water gauge, we could compare the measured mark heights with the corresponding water levels. Simultaneously, we have scanned the object into 3D format so that it is possible to perform a detailed inspection of all marks, even those that were overlooked during field survey. A review of scientific and technical literature from the 19th century showed that marks of low water levels on stones and rock outcrops were to some extent interconnected with other important points. They were linked to zero points of water gauges, initially set up for navigation purposes, and also to flood marks. A particular situation in Děčín is therefore a unique example of epigraphic indication of low and high water levels in the enclosing profile of the upper part of the Elbe river basin. To verify the marks of low water levels we used the then current scientific studies which in the past brought the identification of dry periods. However, we also used the oldest series of daily water levels measured in Magdeburg, Dresden, and Prague, available by 1851, i.e. by the beginning of measurements in Děčín. These series had to be reconstructed or digitized from the CHMI archive sources. Since 1851 we have been able to accurately identify the heights and sometimes even the specific days when the minima were marked. After thorough examination of field and newly measured data, as well as data obtained from review of older literature presenting the first surveys of marks on hunger stones already in 1842, older marks of low water levels can be considered mostly as a reliable indication of annual water level minima. The aim of the mark creators was not to make the commemorative inscription on drought, but to register the exact position of the water mark of the annual minimum. The deviations of most of the marks from the water gauge records did not exceed 4 cm, in worse cases 8 cm and only exceptionally the disparity was greater. From the material obtained so far, the overall slight downward trend of minima since the end of the 18th century is noticeable. The view on minima of the 17th and 16th century is based on only a few data and it is difficult to generalize so far. However, the minima obtained are comparable to or lower than the data from the critical dry periods of 1842, and 1858 to 1874. Our verification and certain rehabilitation of low water level marks should be an incentive to process all available epigraphic documents of this kind in the near future in closer cooperation with colleagues from Saxony. The potential of these objects offers a deeper knowledge of periods of hydrological drought and possibly morphological changes in the Elbe riverbed.

scholarly journals Low water stage marks on hunger stones: verification for the Elbe from 1616 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1821-1846
Author(s):  
Libor Elleder ◽  
Ladislav Kašpárek ◽  
Jolana Šírová ◽  
Tomáš Kabelka
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
High Water ◽  
Hydrological Drought ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Rock Outcrops ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
The Elbe River

Abstract. This paper deals with the issue of documenting hydrological drought with the help of drought marks (DMs) which have been preserved on dozens of hunger stones (HSs) in the river channel of the Elbe in Bohemia and Saxony. So far, the hunger stones have been regarded rather as an illustration of dry seasons. Our aim was, among other issues, to draw attention to the much greater value of hunger stones and individual dry year marks inscribed on them. Therefore, we wanted to verify their reliability and better understand the motivation of their authors. For this purpose, we used the current extreme drought period of 2014–2019, which allowed detailed documentation of a hunger stone in Děčín, Czech Republic, with marks dating from 1536 to 2003. Thanks to the helpful position of the stones relative to the water gauge, we could compare the measured mark heights to the corresponding water levels. Simultaneously, we have scanned the objects into 3D format so that it is possible to perform a detailed inspection of all the marks, even those that were overlooked during the field survey. A review of scientific and technical literature from the 19th century showed that the marks of low water levels on stones and rock outcrops were to some extent interconnected with other important points. They were linked to zero points of water gauges, initially set up for navigation purposes, and to flood marks. The particular situation in Děčín is therefore a unique example of the epigraphic indication of low and high water levels in the enclosing profile of the upper part of the Elbe River basin. To verify the low water level marks or drought marks, we used the then current scientific studies focussing on dry periods. However, we also used the oldest series of daily water levels measured in Magdeburg, Dresden and Prague, available from 1851, i.e. the beginning of measurements in Děčín. These series had to be reconstructed or digitised from Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) archive sources. Since 1851 we have been able to accurately identify the heights and sometimes even the specific days when the minima were marked. After a thorough field examination and newly measured data, coupled with data obtained from a review of older literature presenting the first surveys of marks on hunger stones as presented in 1842, older marks of low water levels can be considered a reliable indication of the annual water level minima. The aim of the mark creators was not to make commemorative inscriptions of drought but to register the exact minimum water level. Deviations between the marks and the water gauge records did not exceed 4 cm, and only exceptionally was the disparity greater. From the material obtained so far, an overall slightly decreasing trend of water level minima since the end of the 18th century is noticeable. The view on minima of the 16th and 17th centuries is based on only a few items of data, and it is difficult to generalise. However, the minima obtained are comparable to or lower than the data from the critical dry periods of 1842 and 1858 to 1874. Our verification of low water level marks should be an incentive to process all available epigraphic documents of this kind in the near future in closer cooperation with colleagues from Saxony. The potential of these objects offers a deeper knowledge of periods of hydrological drought and possibly of morphological changes in the Elbe riverbed.

scholarly journals Hydrometeorological drivers of flood characteristics in the Brahmaputra river basin in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sazzad Hossain ◽  
Hannah L. Cloke ◽  
Andrea Ficchì ◽  
Andrew G. Turner ◽  
Elisabeth M. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
South Asian Summer Monsoon ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Flood Characteristics

Abstract. While flooding is an annual occurrence in the Brahmaputra basin during the South Asian summer monsoon, there is large variability in the flood characteristics that drive risk: flood duration, rate of water level rise and peak water level. The aim of this study is to understand the key hydrometeorological drivers influencing these flood characteristics. We analyse hydrometeorological time series of the last 33 years to understand flood dynamics focusing on three extraordinary floods in 1998 (long duration), 2017 (rapid rise) and 2019 (high water level). We find that long duration floods in the basin have been driven by basin-wide seasonal rainfall extremes associated with the development phase of strong La Niña events, whereas floods with a rapid rate of rise have been driven by more localized rainfall falling in a hydrological ‘sweet spot’ that leads to a concurrent contribution from the tributaries into the main stem of the river. We find that recent record high water levels are not coincident with extreme river flows, hinting that sedimentation and morphological changes are also important drivers of flood risk that should be further investigated. Understanding these drivers is essential for flood forecasting and early warning and also to study the impact of future climate change on flood.

Lake and inland dunes as interconnected Systems: The story of Lake Tresssee and an adjacent dune field (Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany)

The Holocene ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 095968362098168
Author(s):  
Christian Stolz ◽  
Magdalena Suchora ◽  
Irena A Pidek ◽  
Alexander Fülling
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
High Water ◽  
Alluvial Fan ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Dune Field ◽  
The North ◽  
Sand Drift

The specific aim of the study was to investigate how four adjacent geomorphological systems – a lake, a dune field, a small alluvial fan and a slope system – responded to the same impacts. Lake Tresssee is a shallow lake in the North of Germany (Schleswig-Holstein). During the Holocene, the lake’s water surface declined drastically, predominately as a consequence of human impact. The adjacent inland dune field shows several traces of former sand drift events. Using 30 new radiocarbon ages and the results of 16 OSL samples, this study aims to create a new timeline tracing the interaction between lake and dunes, as well, as how both the lake and the dunes reacted to environmental changes. The water level of the lake is presumed to have peaked during the period before the Younger Dryas (YD; start at 10.73 ka BC). After the Boreal period (OSL age 8050 ± 690 BC) the level must have undergone fluctuations triggered by climatic events and the first human influences. The last demonstrable high water level was during the Late Bronze Age (1003–844 cal. BC). The first to the 9th century AD saw slightly shrinking water levels, and more significant ones thereafter. In the 19th century, the lake area was artificially reduced to a minimum by the human population. In the dunes, a total of seven different phases of sand drift were demonstrated for the last 13,000 years. It is one of the most precisely dated inland-dune chronologies of Central Europe. The small alluvial fan took shape mainly between the 13th and 17th centuries AD. After 1700 cal. BC (Middle Bronze Age), and again during the sixth and seventh centuries AD, we find enhanced slope activity with the formation of Holocene colluvia.

scholarly journals PRE- and POST-STORM LiDAR SURVEYS FOR ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON COASTAL EROSION

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W8 ◽  
pp. 261-266
Author(s):  
A.-L. Montreuil ◽  
M. Chen ◽  
A. Esquerré ◽  
R. Houthuys ◽  
R. Moelans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Coastline Change ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Sustainable management of the coastal resources requires a better understanding of the processes that drive coastline change. The coastline is a highly dynamic sea-terrestrial interface. It is affected by forcing factors such as water levels, waves, winds, and the highest and most severe changes occur during storm surges. Extreme storms are drivers responsible for rapid and sometimes dramatic changes of the coastline. The consequences of the impacts from these events entail a broad range of social, economic and natural resource considerations from threats to humans, infrastructure and habitats. This study investigates the impact of a severe storm on coastline response on a sandy multi-barred beach at the Belgian coast. Airborne LiDAR surveys acquired pre- and post-storm covering an area larger than 1 km<sup>2</sup> were analyzed and reproducible monitoring solutions adapted to assess beach morphological changes were applied. Results indicated that the coast retreated by a maximum of 14.7 m where the embryo dunes in front of the fixed dunes were vanished and the foredune undercut. Storm surge and wave attacks were probably the most energetic there. However, the response of the coastline proxies associated with the mean high water line (MHW) and dunetoe (DuneT) was spatially variable. Based on the extracted beach features, good correlations (r>0.73) were found between coastline, berm and inner intertidal bar morphology, while it was weak with the most seaward bars covered in the surveys. This highlights the role of the upper features on the beach to protect the coastline from storm erosion by reducing wave energy. The findings are of critical importance in improving our knowledge and forecasting of coastline response to storms, and also in its translation into management practices.</p>

The effect of ground water-level on the yield of some common crops on a fen peat soil

1958 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. Nicholson ◽  
D. H. Firth
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Ground Water Level ◽  
Potential Evaporation ◽  
Soil Moisture Deficit ◽  
Moisture Deficit

An account is given of a field experiment in the control of ground water-level in a Fen peat soil, together with its results on the yields of crops in a six-course rotation.The seasonal variations in rainfall are presented in terms of potential evaporation and soil moisture deficit. The effect of the water-level on the moistness of the soil above it is indicated. Even in a wet summer, drying was perceptible within 18–20 in. of the ground water-level between successive falls of rain.The fluctuations of the ground water-levels are discussed. Those of the high water-levels were chiefly due to individual incidences of rain causing rises short in duration, but sufficient in the case of water-levels within 20 in. of the surface to cause total waterlogging and surface ponding. Those of the deep water-levels were most influenced by evaporation, with steady and persistent falls during any rain-free period.The deterioration of the physical condition of the soil over high water-levels is shown in the result of sieving tests. In 6 years the loss of tilth over waterlevels within 20 in. of the surface was very marked and was discernible over those as low as 30 in.The possibilities of effectively using high ground water-levels occasionally in soils in good condition are shown by the results with celery and potatoes.

Uncertainty in coastal flooding: modelling and visualisation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Maskell
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Storm Surge ◽  
Return Period ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
High Water ◽  
Coastal Flooding ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Flood Maps

&lt;p&gt;Two case studies are considered in the UK, where uncertainty and drivers of coastal flood risk are explored through modelling and visualisations. Visualising the impact of uncertainty is a useful way of explaining the potential range of predicted or simulated flood risk to both expert and non-expert stakeholders.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Significant flooding occurred in December 2013 and January 2017 at Hornsea on the UK East Coast, where storm surge levels and waves overtopped the town&amp;#8217;s coastal defences. Uncertainty in the potential coastal flooding is visualised at Hornsea due to the range of uncertainty in the 100-year return period water level and in the calculated overtopping due to 3 m waves at the defences. The range of uncertainty in the simulated flooding is visualised through flood maps, where various combinations of the uncertainties decrease or increase the simulated inundated area by 58% and 82% respectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Located at the mouth of the Mersey Estuary and facing the Irish Sea, New Brighton is affected by a large tidal range with potential storm surge and large waves. Uncertainty in the coastal flooding at the 100-year return period due to the combination of water levels and waves is explored through Monte-Carlo analysis and hydrodynamic modelling. Visualisation through flood maps shows that the inundation extent at New Brighton varies significantly for combined wave and surge events with a joint probability of 100 years, where the total flooded area ranges from 0 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; to 10,300 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. Waves are an important flood mechanism at New Brighton but are dependent on high water levels to impact the coastal defences and reduce the effective freeboard. The combination of waves and high-water levels at this return level not only determine the magnitude of the flood extent but also the spatial characteristics of the risk, whereby flooding of residential properties is dominated by overflow from high water levels, and commercial and leisure properties are affected by large waves that occur when the water level is relatively high at the defences.&lt;/p&gt;

Response in the trophic state of stratified lakes to changes in hydrology and water level: potential effects of climate change

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale M. Robertson ◽  
William J. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Trophic State ◽  
Drainage Basin ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Drainage Basins ◽  
Stratified Lakes ◽  
Seepage Lake ◽  
Groundwater Exchange ◽  
Induced Changes

To determine how climate-induced changes in hydrology and water level may affect the trophic state (productivity) of stratified lakes, two relatively pristine dimictic temperate lakes in Wisconsin, USA, were examined. Both are closed-basin lakes that experience changes in water level and degradation in water quality during periods of high water. One, a seepage lake with no inlets or outlets, has a small drainage basin and hydrology dominated by precipitation and groundwater exchange causing small changes in water and phosphorus (P) loading, which resulted in small changes in water level, P concentrations, and productivity. The other, a terminal lake with inlets but no outlets, has a large drainage basin and hydrology dominated by runoff causing large changes in water and P loading, which resulted in large changes in water level, P concentrations, and productivity. Eutrophication models accurately predicted the effects of changes in hydrology, P loading, and water level on their trophic state. If climate changes, larger changes in hydrology and water levels than previously observed could occur. If this causes increased water and P loading, stratified (dimictic and monomictic) lakes are expected to experience higher water levels and become more eutrophic, especially those with large developed drainage basins.

Water Level Fluctuation in a Northeastern Ontario Peatland

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Dai ◽  
V. F. Haavisto ◽  
J. H. Sparling
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Level Fluctuation ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
Run Off

Depths to water level and changes due to local climate were dissimilar in five peatland conditions in northeastern Ontario. The deepest water level and the greatest fluctuations occurred in an ombrotrophic black spruce bog site. The sedge-dominated poor fen site was submerged following every heavy rain. Waterlogged conditions remained within 6 cm of the surface at all times because of the influence by the water level of Dai Lake. The water level of Dai Lake varied within a narrow range because the loss of water was primarily dependent on slow seepage and evaporation. The lagg site was affected by continuous inflow, high water levels, and fast run-off, therefore, a larger fluctuation of water level prevailed at this site.

Water Movement Rule and Quality Assessment of Overflow in the Zhenjiang Neijiang

2014 ◽  
Vol 1010-1012 ◽  
pp. 821-825
Author(s):  
Song Mei Wang ◽  
Chun Du Wu ◽  
Jin Yu Chu ◽  
Qing Jie Xie
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Water Quality Assessment ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
High Water Level

We perform a study of the waste water from overflow in the Zhenjiang Neijiang . Determine content of COD、NH3-N、TP which changing along the distance at different water levels . Based on the SPSS14.0 correlation analysis , single factor pollution index and the comprehensive pollution index we study water movement rule and quality assessment. The results showed that : At low water level COD、NH3-N、TP decrease alleviation, the whole datum are high; at high water level COD、NH3-N、TP decrease greatly between 0~7m,but decrease alleviation between 7~200m. (2) Only the content of NH3-N (0~7m ) has significant differences (p<0.05),the other content all has not significant differences (p>0.05), the waste water from overflow was seriously polluted so that the wetland can not purify it adequately. (3)Based on the Vwater quality grade standard, at low water level the content of COD、NH3-N、TP(0~200m ) are all beyond standard; at high water level the content of COD、NH3-N、TP(80~200m ) are all beyond standard; the order of the potential ecological rick is: NH3-N>TP>COD. The study on the datum could offer a favorable plan for purifying the waste water from overflow in the Zhenjiang Neijiang. Keyword: overflow; water movement rule; correlation analysis; water quality assessment

scholarly journals Causes of the Transboundary Lake Khanka Extreme High Water Level

2016 ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Lake Level ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
High Water Level ◽  
Level Regime ◽  
Lake Khanka

Reasons of the extremely high water level in Lake Khanka (it was 0.5 m higher the historical maximum over the past years) have been revealed within the frameworks of the carried out exploration. The lake capacity characteristics alteration due to the natural and anthropogenic factors’ impact has been assessed. We have considered the factors that form the Lake Khanka level regime, i.e. natural: atmosphere circulation, atmospheric perspiration, river inflow to the lake, evaporation from the lake surface, and outflow; anthropogenic: economic activities on the catchment on Russian and Chinese territories (hydro/melioration and the runoff transfer). The passage capacity of the Sungachi River, the only outflow from the lake, has been analyzed in details at different water levels in Lake Khanka. The paper is based on summing up and analysis of information on the lake hydro/meteorological regime and economic activities on its catchment, as well as reference literature. As a result of the study the authors for the first time has identified the main reason of the abnormal rise of the Kanka level. It was found that the significant transformation of the lake level regime occurred due to the Mulinkhe Rivers runoff transfer to Lake Malaya Khanka from the People’s Republic of China. A forecast of the lake level for 2016 taking into consideration different scenarios of the basin moistening has been given. In connection with the forecasted rise of the water level in Lake Khanka in the nearest future we propose a number of measures aimed to minimize inevitable damage to the Russian party.

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