Flood Forecasting in the Western Lowland of Albania with Application of the Hydrological Modeling

Year 2020, Volume: 15 Issue: 4, 216 - 223, 30.12.2020

Klodian Zaımı , Orjeta Jaupaj

Abstract

Floods are natural disasters with more consequences in Albania. The most risked areas, from river floods, lie mainly in the western lowlands of the country. These areas, which are mainly areas with agricultural development, are very important in the economic development of Albania. Historically, the hydrological forecast in Albania has been based on observations of the upstream of rivers. These methods do not provide the time needed for flood management because floods rutting time to the flood plain is relatively short, due to the large slope and short rivers. Only in the last decade, more advanced techniques have been used to forecast floods, including hydrological modeling. Analysis of the present status and existing methods, in flood forecasting, is necessary to determine where the forecasting system should be improved. Determination, if there will be flooding, is related to the flood hydrograph forecast in the river sections, which are of interest. Increased flood forecasting time can be performed with the help of HEC-HMS hydrological modeling and meteorological model ICON-EU. The hydrological model used as input daily hydrometeorological observed data for precipitation and temperature in the period 1990-2018. The hydrological historical data in the period 1990-2008 was used for calibrating the model. Flood forecasting has as its main objective information in time to the authorities, or the population to take precautions measures, and to be prepared in case the forecast on the likelihood of a flood, including the size and timing of the event, at key locations of watercourses.

Keywords

hydrological model, flood forecasting, hydrograph, discharge

References

• Hydro-meteorological Institute of Albania (IHM), Academy of Science of Albania, (1984) Hydrology of Albania. Albania.
• Hydro-meteorological Institute of Albania (IHM), Academy of Science of Albania, (1985) Climate of Albania. Albania.
• Luo, T., Maddocks, A., Iceland, C., Ward, P. & Winsemius, H. World’s 15 Countries with the Most People Exposed to River Floods. https://www.wri.org/blog/2015/03/world-s-15- countries-most-people-exposed-river-floods, 2015.
• Meon, A., Pätsch, M., Climate Change Adaptation in Western BalkansEstablishment of a Flood Early Warning System in the Drin-Buna Basin (DEWS). Balwois, 2013.
• Selenica A. Përmbytjet nga lumenjtë dhe parandalimi i dëmeve. REVISTA USHTARAKE Organ teoriko–shkencor i Komandës së Doktrinës dhe Stërvitjes (REVISTA USHTARAKE Organ teoriko–shkencor i Komandës së Doktrinës dhe Stërvitjes Nr. 2/2010) Nr. 2/2010 faqe 12-21, 2010.
• USACE (2000). HEC-HMS hydrologic modeling system user’s manual. Hydrologic Engineering Center, Davis, CA.
• USACE (2018). HEC-HMS hydrologic modeling system Quick Start Guide. Hydrologic Engineering Center, Davis, CA.