Rivers are not straightforward. Obvious as it is, that does not make flood forecasting any easier. However, with the relevant processes understood, flood forecasting can significantly help reduce the costs of flood damage, which are a considerable financial burden for a country like Slovenia. The cost of damage from the flood in September 2010, for example, has been estimated to be approximately EUR 250 million. Moreover, climate change is expected to significantly increase the frequency of flood events. A modern and reliable flood forecasting system will help the country to reduce financial loss as well as the risk of fatalities.
Experienced partners for the set up of a modern system
ARSO wanted to upgrade their existing services using DHI‘s modelling technology
and expand them to the rivers Sava and Soča, the two longest rivers in Slovenia,
with catchments covering about 64 per cent of the country.
Two MIKE 11 (now MIKE HYDRO River) hydrological/hydrodynamic models were developed to form the core of the upgraded forecasting system. DHI ensured that all available sources of real-time information are incorporated in the model—a prerequisite for reliable forecasts. Amongst others, these input data include water level, discharge and rainfall data from Slovenia’s telemetric network as well as meteorological models.