Andreja Jonoski

River cross-section extraction from the ASTER global DEM for flood modeling

An approach to generate river cross-sections from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER GDEM) is discussed. The low resolution and the inadequate vertical accuracy of such global data present difficulties in differentiating features of hydraulic importance, which necessitate pre-processing of the DEMs before they are used. A vertical bias correction carried out by comparison of elevation points with a high accuracy terrain model produces a considerable improvement to the cross-sections obtained. In a situation where there are some flow/stage measurements at either end of the river reach, an optimization routine combined with a conceptual flow routing method can provide an additional tool to identify the parameters of an equivalent river section. The extracted cross-sections were used in a 1D river modeling tool HEC-RAS/GeoRAS to simulate flooding on a part of the Tisza River, Hungary. Model results are encouraging and show good potential for using the suggested method in the areas of topographic data scarcity.

Climate change impact on flood hazard, vulnerability and risk of the Long Xuyen Quadrangle in the Mekong Delta

The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) has an important role in terms of food security and socio-economic development of the region; however, it is one of many areas of the world vulnerable to floods resulting from sea level rise (SLR) due to climate change. Therefore, management of flooding is a priority at national and regional levels in Vietnam. The Long Xuyen Quadrangle is the most important region in the VMD in terms of agriculture and economy. In the present work, flood hazard, vulnerability and risk were assessed and mapped to identify the priority areas in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle for flood mitigation. A hydrodynamic model was used to simulate the flood event of 2000 when a flood of 20-year return period occurred and caused loss of human lives and extensive damage. The calibrated model was then used to simulate a possible flood event in 2050 due to SLR. The resulting flood depth of the simulation was used to prepare inundation maps and to analyse flood hazard in this region, as well. The flood vulnerability of the region was assessed using the coastal areas flood vulnerability index (FVI) method. The FVI was determined by district, and flood vulnerability maps were developed based on these data. The results indicate that the major part of the study area (35.4%) can be classified as being at high risk. It was also found that 32.7% of the area is under medium risk and only about 18.4% is under very low and low risk; 10.2% of the total area is not subjected to flood risk. We show that district level flood vulnerability maps are potentially useful for decision makers and the public in planning better measures for adaptation and mitigation of the negative impacts of flooding.

Development of a web application for water resources based on open source software

This article presents research and development of a prototype web application for water resources using latest advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), open source software and web GIS. The web application has three web services for: (1) managing, presenting and storing of geospatial data, (2) support of water resources modeling and (3) water resources optimization. The web application is developed using several programming languages (PhP, Ajax, JavaScript, Java), libraries (OpenLayers, JQuery) and open source software components (GeoServer, PostgreSQL, PostGIS). The presented web application has several main advantages: it is available all the time, it is accessible from everywhere, it creates a real time multi-user collaboration platform, the programing languages code and components are interoperable and designed to work in a distributed computer environment, it is flexible for adding additional components and services and, it is scalable depending on the workload. The application was successfully tested on a case study with concurrent multi-users access.

Collaborative modelling or participatory modelling? A framework for water resources management

Decision Support Systems, and, more recently, participatory and collaborative modelling have emerged as a response to increased focus on stakeholder participation in modelling activities for certain fields like water resources management. Researchers and practitioners frequently use buzzwords such as participatory modelling and collaborative modelling. In some cases, both terms are used interchangeably, largely due to unclear distinction between them in literature. This article draws the line between participatory and collaborative modelling by using levels of participation and cooperation as conditioning dimensions. Based on this methodology, a new generic framework is presented. This framework can help identify determinant features of both modelling approaches currently used in water resources management. It permits analysis of these approaches in terms of context, specific use, information handling, stakeholder involvement, modelling team and means. The article concludes with an application of the framework to a collaborative modelling approach carried out for a groundwater study in the Netherlands. Participatory and collaborative modelling as a response to challenges encountered with traditional DSSs and stakeholder engagement methods.Participatory modelling differs from collaborative modelling by considering participation and cooperation as conditioning factors.A generic framework for participatory and collaborative modelling approaches in Water Resources Management is proposed.

Model-Based Optimization of Downstream Impact during Filling of a New Reservoir: Case Study of Mandaya/Roseires Reservoirs on the Blue Nile River

The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology based on coupled simulation-optimization approach for determining filling rules for the proposed Mandaya Reservoir in Ethiopia with minimum impact on hydropower generation downstream at Roseires Reservoir in Sudan, and ensuring power generation at Mandaya Reservoir in Ethiopia. The Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) approach for reservoir optimization presented in this paper is a combination of simulation and optimization models, which can assist decision making in water resource planning and management (WRPM). The combined system of reservoirs is set in MIKE BASIN Simulation model, which is then used for simulation of a limited set of feasible filling rules of the Mandaya reservoir according to the current storage level, the inflow, and the time of the year. The same simulation model is then coupled with Multi-Objective optimization Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II), which is adopted for determining optimial filling rules of the Mandaya Reservoir. The optimization puts focus on maximization of hydropower generation in both the Mandaya and the Roseires Reservoirs. The results demonstrate that optimal release- (and correspondingly filling-) rules for Mandaya Reservoir which maximize the hydropower generation in both Mandaya and Roseires reservoirs can be found. These rules are determined along the Pareto frontier obtained by the optimization algorithm, which can serve as a decision support tool for choosing the actual filling rule. The results also showed that the NSGA- II is an efficient and powerful tool that could assist decision makers for solving optimization problems in complex water resource systems.

Integrated modelling for flood risk mitigation in Romania: case study of the Timis–Bega river basin

An integrated flood modelling approach has been applied in a demonstrator of a flood management system, which was developed within the framework of a collaborative project between Romania and the Netherlands. The developed demonstrator system had two objectives: (a) operational water management under extreme conditions when actions have to be taken quickly; (b) off-line analysis and design of flood mitigation measures and alternatives. This article presents the applied approach and the achieved results for meeting the second objective. The pilot basin for the development of the system was the Timis–Bega river basin, in which the rivers Timis and Bega were considered jointly. The system is based on modelling the flood generation and routing processes by combined development and application of hydrological and hydrodynamic models. The modelling system HEC-HMS was used for the hydrological model, HEC-RAS for the one-dimensional hydrodynamic model and SOBEK for the two-dimensional (2D) model used for downstream flood analysis and design of mitigation measures and alternatives. The 2D model includes alternatives of deliberate dike breaching as part of the analysis of the system response. The analysis presented is concentrated on a specific flood event that occurred in April 2005, which occurred due to dike breaches along the Timis river. The combination of models is first used for reconstruction of inundation patterns resulting during this flood event. Subsequently the models were used for testing flood mitigation alternatives of deliberate (planned) breaches of flood protection dikes located in the downstream part of the Timis river at the same location where they had occurred during the 2005 flood event, but at different times with respect to the arrival of the flood hydrograph. The demonstrated approach can enable decision-makers to analyse the behaviour of the physical system and design possible preventive and/or mitigation measures.

Distance Learning in Support of Water Resources Management: An Online Course on Decision Support Systems in River Basin Management

This paper presents the conceptualisation, design and implementation of an online course on the topic of Decision Support Systems in River Basin Management. The need for development of such a course has been recognised, as activities in the field of water resources planning and management increasingly depend on decision support methods such as simulation, optimisation and Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA). The online learning approach is particularly needed for continuous professional development and life-long learning of professionals active in this field, and especially for those coming from developing countries. The course was developed and implemented following the competence-based learning approach, supported by the EU FP 7 educational research project named TenCompetence, which also provided the learning platform for deploying and delivering the course. The paper presents the course design, implementation and evaluation by the course participants, with special focus on the course content and the developed learning resources. Participants’ evaluations show high appreciation for the course, but they also highlight areas for future improvements.

Sociotechnical Framework for Participatory Flood Risk Management via Collaborative Modeling

This article introduces a sociotechnical framework for conceptualization, design and development of participatory Flood Risk Management FRM processes. The framework enables a collaborative modeling approach, in which FRM activities are jointly carried out by authorities responsible for FRM, key stakeholders and the potentially affected citizens. Given the technical and social complexity of FRM, the article argues for adoption of the proposed framework as a means for realizing individual and social learning among all involved actors, which leads to shared understanding of the identified flood risks and potentially to commonly agreed FRM alternatives and strategies. Implementation of the framework critically depends on a web-based collaborative platform-a tool that supports all collaborative modeling activities. The framework is presented from within European context of FRM, but its relevance is broader and it can potentially be adopted in other social and geographical areas.

Collaborative Modelling for Informed Decision Making and Inclusive Water Development

Ensuring availability and adequate management of water and sanitation for all is one of the key priorities for sustainable development. Integrated Water Resources Management is widely considered to be the best management process for securing water for all. However, implementing it remains a challenge for many decision makers and practitioners. In this article, we demonstrate an application of collaborative modelling to enhance and inform decisions and ensure an inclusive process. This collaborative modelling approach was applied to a river basin master plan for Pemali Comal River Basin Territory in Indonesia. Based on surveys of its development and the stakeholders and decision makers, collaborative modelling and traditional planning approaches for river basin planning were compared. The results of the evaluation demonstrate the benefits of collaborative modelling for structuring stakeholder participation in modelling processes, managing conflicts among competing water users and social learning.

An adapted companion modelling approach for enhancing multi-stakeholder cooperation in complex river basins

ABSTRACT The sustainable development agenda 2030 calls for achievement of certain targets to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. Multi-stakeholder partnerships and the use of data and modelling tools are conditioning elements for their achievement. In this article, we demonstrate that participatory modelling supports informed and participatory decision making in complex river basins. An adapted companion modelling approach is presented to support collective action by reducing disputes and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. The co-development and use of empirical models for understanding the complexity of the physical system is combined with the use of role-playing games to ensure the active involvement of stakeholders. The approach is implemented in a top-down water quality planning process in Turkey. Results show its suitability for managing water quality in complex river basins in an inclusive manner and its substantial benefits in developing stakeholders’ capacities and creating a cooperative environment.