Future hydrology of Alpine rivers of Italy: the Interreg project GE.RI.KO Mera

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Bocchiola ◽  
Francesca Casale ◽  
Leonardo Stucchi ◽  
Giovanni Bombelli
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Sediment Accumulation ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Transboundary Waters ◽  
Grand Total ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Hydropower Production ◽  
Alpine Rivers

<p>We present preliminary results in fulfilment of the IT-CH Interreg project “GE.RI.KO Mera”. The main aim of the project is to create a common strategy for the management of common water resources, in the transboundary Mera catchment, laid for ¼ in Switzerland, and for ¾ in Italy. Mera river sources in the Maloja mountains of Switzerland, crosses the Bregaglia valley, and reaches Valchiavenna of Italy, then receiving Liro river’s water, and then flows into the Novate-Mezzola lake, and in Como lake soon after.</p><p>This area is particularly important, for hydropower production, and large exploitation of water resources for fishing, and leisure in general.</p><p>Bregaglia valley carries large sediment load in the river, which affect aquatic species during floods, and lead to progressive filling of hydropower basins, and sediment accumulation along the river, with potential for increased flood risk, and often need for removal. GE.RI.KO project aims to jointly manage the transboundary waters of the Mera river to i) limit alteration of riverbed morphology and erosion, ii) avoid biodiversity loss, and iii) reduce flood risk along the river.</p><p>Here we report modelling of hydrology of this high altitude basin with Poli-Hydro model, and an analysis of future climatic conditions in the area of Valchiavenna for different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). We use several RCPs from IPCC’s AR5/6, and several GCMs, for a grand total of 21 climate scenarios (plus local downscaling) to force the Poli-Hydro model to depict future hydrological scenarios in the area.</p><p>We report main potential hydrological variations, and depict main challenges for water management in the Mera catchment under future scenarios, to be explored by the GE.RI.KO project.</p>

scholarly journals A reliable rainfall–runoff model for flood forecasting: review and application to a semi-urbanized watershed at high flood risk in Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Masseroni ◽  
Alessio Cislaghi ◽  
Stefania Camici ◽  
Christian Massari ◽  
Luca Brocca
Keyword(s):  
Flood Risk ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Median Volume ◽  
Flood Estimation ◽  
High Flood ◽  
Rainfall Runoff Model ◽  
Flooding Events

Many rainfall–runoff (RR) models are available in the scientific literature. Selecting the best structure and parameterization for a model is not straightforward and depends on a broad number of factors, including climatic conditions, catchment characteristics, temporal/spatial resolution and model objectives. In this study, the RR model ‘Modello Idrologico Semi-Distribuito in continuo’ (MISDc), mainly developed for flood simulation in Mediterranean basins, was tested on the Seveso basin, which is stressed several times a year by flooding events mainly caused by excessive urbanization. The work summarizes a compendium of the MISDc applications over a wide range of catchments in European countries and then it analyses the performances over the Seveso basin. The results show a good fit behaviour during both the calibration and the validation periods with a Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient index larger than 0.9. Moreover, the median volume and peak discharge errors calculated on several flood events were less than 25%. In conclusion, we can be assured that the reliability and computational speed could make the MISDc model suitable for flood estimation in many catchments of different geographical contexts and land use characteristics. Moreover, MISDc will also be useful for future support of real-time decision-making for flood risk management in the Seveso basin.

scholarly journals Glacial and Postglacial History of the White Cloud Peaks-Boulder Mountains, Idaho, U.S.A.

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. P. Cotter ◽  
James M. Bloomfield ◽  
Edward B. Evenson
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Accumulation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The North ◽  
Stratigraphic Model ◽  
Glaciofluvial Deposits ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Late Wisconsinan ◽  
Mount St Helens ◽  
Peak Set

ABSTRACT Glacial and glaciofluvial deposits are mapped and differentiated to develop new local, relative-age (RD) stratigraphies for the North Fork of the Big Lost River, Slate Creek and Pole Creek drainages in the White Cloud Peaks and Boulder Mountains, Idaho. This stratigraphic model expands the areal extent of the "Idaho glacial model". Volcanic ash samples collected from the study area are petrographically characterized and correlated, on the basis of mineralogy and glass geochemistry, to reference samples of identified Cascade Range tephras. Four distinct tephras are recognized including; Mount St. Helens-Set S (13,600-13,300 yr BP), Glacier Peak-Set B (11,250 yr BP), Mount Mazama (6600 yr BP) and Mount St. Helens-Set Ye (4350 yr BP). A core of lake sediments containing two tephra units was obtained from a site called "Pole Creek kettle". Pollen and sediment analyses indicate three intervals of late Pleistocene and Holocene climatic change. Cool and wet climatic conditions prevailed in the region shortly before and immediately following the deposition of the Glacier Peak-Set B ash (11,250 yr BP). Climatic warming occurred from approximately 10,500 to 6600 yr BP after which warm, dry conditions prevailed. Sediment accumulation in the kettle ceased by 4350 yr BP. The presence of Glacier Peak-Set B tephra in the base of the Pole Creek kettle core provides a minimum age of 11,250 yr BP for the retreat of valley glaciers from their Late Wisconsinan maximum position. A radiocarbon date of 8450 + 85 yr BP (SI-5181), and the presence of Mount Mazama ash (6600 yr BP) up-core support the Glacier Peak-Set B identification.

scholarly journals Experience in Improvement of the Water Sector Institutional Structures

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
Water Legislation

Experience of the Central Asia countries in the sphere of reorming of institutional structures responsible for water resources management has been investigated. The outcomes of the works aimed at studying of the results of the integrated management principles application in order to improve structures and methods of water resources management are presented. These outputs enable to reveal special features of the approaches to the management problems solution in the conditions of available water resources abundance and lack in countries with different economic and natural/climatic conditions. The experience was summed up and the typical trends in the water sector management improvement accumulated in the Central Asia countries, as well as the date from other countries with the similar problems including NICs with centralized administrative systems, regions with the many-century traditions of irrigation farming, as well as the countries of transitional economy were revealed. Studying of many countries’ experience concerning adiption of the water resources integrated management allows us to state that there is no sungle ideal or universal model of transition from spatial/territorial management to basin management, no model which can be applied to any country. Analysis of the water resources management systems and institutions enables to formulate the main conditions for effective application of water resources integrated management principles. The paper notes that in spite of substantial progess in water resources management attained in the Central Asia countries many problems including practical application of water legislation, taking into account interest of all sectors of national economy, better coordination between ministeries and agencies involved in water resources management, participation of all stakeholders in taking decisions concerning water supply projects, distribution of juridical and financial obligations between water users and government, and insufficient coordination and agreement in actions at international, national andregional levels stay unsolved.

scholarly journals Variabilidade Espacial da Erosividade das Chuvas para o Estado da Paraíba (Variability of Spatial Erosivity of Rainfall in the Paraíba State)

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 691
Author(s):  
Bernardo Starling Dorta do Amaral ◽  
João Filadelfo de Carvalho Neto ◽  
Richarde Marques da Silva ◽  
José Carlos Dantas
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Rainfall Characteristics ◽  
R Factor ◽  
Erosivity Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

As características específicas das chuvas variam entre regiões, e o conhecimento da sua potencialidade erosiva é necessário para o planejamento dos recursos hídricos. Este estudo determinou a erosividade, analisou a variabilidade espacial da precipitação e o coeficiente de chuva para o Estado da Paraíba mediante técnicas de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica. Para a realização deste estudo foram utilizados dados climatológicos de 98 estações climatológicas da Embrapa, com séries de 1911 a 1990. Em seguida as informações sobre a erosividade foram processadas cartograficamente. O valor médio anual da erosividade das chuvas com base no índice EI30 para o Estado da Paraíba foi de 5.032,03 MJ.mm/ha/h, valor que representa o Fator “R” da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo (USLE). As equações de regressão entre erosividade e precipitação e coeficiente de chuva não foram significativas. As principais conclusões são que: (a) os índices de erosividade encontrados são maiores na zona litorânea do que nas demais porções do Estado, e (b) as erosividades encontradas variaram de acordo com os valores da precipitação.   A B S T R A C T Specific rainfall characteristics vary among regions and their erosion potential must be known for the planning of water resources. This study analyzed the erosivity and rainfall variability and precipitation coefficient for Paraíba State based on Geographic Information Systems techniques. In order In this paper 98 climatological stations of Embrapa were used, with rainfall data of 1911 to 1990. For this study we use d climate data from 98 weather stations of Embrapa, with series from 1911 to 1990. Additionally we processed the information of the erosivity index cartographically by year and microregions. The mean annual value of erosivity was 5,032.03 MJ.mm/ha/h, which is to be used as “R” Factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for Paraíba State and surrounding regions with similar climatic conditions. The main conclusions are that: (a) erosivity indexes are higher in coastal areas than in inland areas, and (b) the erosivity range according to the precipitation.   Keywords: erosivity, rainfall, water resources   

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Tzanakakis ◽  
A. N. Angelakis ◽  
N. V. Paranychianakis ◽  
Y. G. Dialynas ◽  
G. Tchobanoglous
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Treated Effluent ◽  
Critical Issues

Crete, located in the South Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by long coastal areas, varied terrain relief and geology, and great spatial and inter-annual variations in precipitation. Under average meteorological conditions, the island is water-sufficient (969 mm precipitation; theoretical water potential 3284 hm3; and total water use 610 hm3). Agriculture is by far the greatest user of water (78% of total water use), followed by domestic use (21%). Despite the high average water availability, water scarcity events commonly occur, particularly in the eastern-south part of the island, driven by local climatic conditions and seasonal or geographical mismatches between water availability and demand. Other critical issues in water management include the over-exploitation of groundwater, accounting for 93% of the water used in agriculture; low water use efficiencies in the farms; limited use of non-conventional water sources (effluent reuse); lack of modern frameworks of control and monitoring; and inadequate cooperation among stakeholders. These deficiencies impact adversely water use efficiency, deteriorate quality of water resources, increase competition for water and water pricing, and impair agriculture and environment. Moreover, the water-limited areas may display low adaptation potential to climate variability and face increased risks for the human-managed and natural ecosystems. The development of appropriate water governance frameworks that promote the development of integrated water management plans and allow concurrently flexibility to account for local differentiations in social-economic favors is urgently needed to achieve efficient water management and to improve the adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. Specific corrective actions may include use of alternative water sources (e.g., treated effluent and brackish water), implementation of efficient water use practices, re-formation of pricing policy, efficient control and monitoring, and investment in research and innovation to support the above actions. It is necessary to strengthen the links across stakeholders (e.g., farmers, enterprises, corporations, institutes, universities, agencies, and public authorities), along with an effective and updated governance framework to address the critical issues in water management, facilitate knowledge transfer, and promote the efficient use of non-conventional water resources.

scholarly journals The Canadian Water Resource Vulnerability Index to Permafrost Thaw (CWRVIPT)

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-462
Author(s):  
C. Spence ◽  
M. Norris ◽  
G. Bickerton ◽  
B.R. Bonsal ◽  
R. Brua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Hudson Bay Lowlands ◽  
Permafrost Thaw ◽  
Canadian North

This study developed and applied a framework for assessing the vulnerability of pan-Canadian water resources to permafrost thaw. The national-scale work addresses a key, but neglected, information gap, as previous research has focused on small scale physical processes and circumpolar trends. The framework was applied to develop the Canadian Water Resources Vulnerability Index to Permafrost Thaw (CWRVIPT) and map the index across the Canadian North. The CWRVIPT is a linearly additive index of permafrost, terrain, disturbance, and climatic conditions and stressors that influence water budgets and aquatic chemistry. Initial results imply water resources in the western Northwest Territories and Hudson Bay Lowlands are most vulnerable to permafrost thaw; however, water resources on Banks, Victoria and Baffin Islands are also relatively vulnerable. Although terrain and permafrost sub-indices are the largest component of the CWRVIPT across a wide swath from the Mackenzie River Delta to the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the climate sub-index is most important farther north over parts of the southern portion of the Arctic Archipelago. The index can be used to identify areas of water resource vulnerability on which to focus observation and research in the Canadian North.

Good water governance and IWRM in Zambia: challenges and chances

Water Policy ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Uhlendahl ◽  
Pritam Salian ◽  
Claudia Casarotto ◽  
Jakob Doetsch
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Hydropower Production

The implementation of principles for water governance is widely accepted but challenging for the whole water sector of a developing country like Zambia, because of the legal and administrative changes and organizational requirements involved. In February 2010, a revised water policy for Zambia was approved by the Cabinet. The revised National Water Policy 2010 aims to improve water resources management by establishing institutional coordination and by defining roles as well as responsibilities for various ministries. Taking into account the previous political and administration changes, this paper points out the problems and challenges of the implementation of good water governance mechanisms in Zambia. Focusing on the Kafue River Basin, from which water is abstracted for a variety of conflicting purposes (like municipal supplies, industrial use, mining, irrigation of agricultural land, fishery activities, wetland reserves and hydropower production), the gaps in implementing good water governance and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Zambia are identified, as well as the factors causing these gaps in the Zambian water sector. The paper finishes with a overview of the opportunities given by the new water policy through Water User Associations (WUAs) at a local level.

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