River Basin Modeling, Management and Flood Mitigation (RIBAMOD)
1996-1998
Sponsored by the EU, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE, DG XII
Introduction
Recently severe flooding has occurred in several parts of Europe, both as localised flash floods and as basin-wide floods on major river systems. By their nature floods are generated by the random coincidence of several meteorological factors, but human factors can also impact the severity and consequences of the events. Flood forecasting systems have advanced to use the latest developments in monitoring, communications and computing technology. However, important issues remain concerning both the detailed understanding and simulation of processes involved in flood propagating and also the best practice for management of the river and its catchment.
Following concern expressed by several Member States, DG XII organized an expert workshop on 17 May 1995 in Brussels to discuss the current state of the art, and the research needs in the area of river flood management. A working group was established at the end of the workshop to draft out the content of a Concerted Action in this area. The Concerted Action will examine long-term generic issues as initiatives are already in place to tackle operational problems such as those on the Rhine and Meuse systems. The Concerted Action will focus on flooding but considered within the framework of integrated river management.
Objectives
The overall aims of the Concerted Action may be summarised as being:
- to mitigate and control the impact of floods by better planning and management of the river and its catchment and by effective public warning in times of high flood risk
- to consider long term and generic issues which support national and EU policy rather than short term, operational issues specific to any particular river-basin
- to promote the transfer of information between research groups, practitioners and executive agencies across the EU
- to identify, develop and promote best practice
The aims will be pursued through a number of objectives. The specific objectives of the Concerted Action will be:
- to facilitate communication and understanding of both technical and policy issues in flood management through:
Identifying the broader framework for flood mitigation within which the specific objectives will be achieved
Identifying important linkages into other areas (policy, social, economic etc.) which the Concerted Action will not pursue, but which are known to be important
- to examine how advanced modeling should support planning, design, operation and maintenance of flood defense systems by structural and non-structural measures
- to identify methods and procedures for sustainable development, management and use of the river and its catchment
- to identify and prioritise RTD needs which will include: the overseeing the progress of and monitoring the outcomes of all relevant projects commissioned under the Environment and Climate programme of FPIV
| Partners
|
| Coordinator |
Rivers Group, HR Wallingford |
UK |
| Partners |
National Technical University of Athens |
Greece |
| Universita di Padova, Dip. Territorio e Sistem Agro-Forestali |
Italy |
| Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research |
Germany |
| Danish Hydraulic Institute |
Denmark |
| Delft Hydraulics |
The Netherlands |
|
