Long term research topics

University of Luxemburg, TU Delft, Deltares

Experimental basins in Luxembourg, translated to JCAR ATRACE river basins

To what extent is our hydrological conceptualization capable to represent the hydrological response during extreme dry and/or wet weather events?

During extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts, water movement can be controlled by processes that are hard to see during normal flow. Using over 20 years of data from a network of experimental catchments, along with existing knowledge, the researcher will test hydrological models and study water movement during extreme events across different types of geologies. By applying machine learning techniques, the researcher will identify the weaknesses in traditional models to simulate these events. The goal is to improve hydrological models, providing better tools for understanding extreme events and contributing to stronger risk management strategies.

Machine learning, conceptualization, experimental catchments

Deltares, University of Liège, GFZ Potsdam

Rur river basin (Limburg – NRW / Maas-Nord & Süd) and Meuse

How do the Eifel reservoirs contribute to the flood and drought conditions in the international Meuse river catchment and how could operating these reservoirs mitigate the vulnerability of the basin to climate and demographic changes?

In collaboration with Wasserverband Eifel-Rur, the researcher will develop more adaptive and resilient operating rules for managing dams in the Eifel region, considering future environmental and socio-economic changes. The research aims to answer the following key questions:

• How do the Eifel reservoirs contribute to managing floods and droughts in the Meuse catchment compared to other reservoirs in Belgium and France?
• Can the current reservoir operating rules be improved to a more advanced, demand-driven system that enhances dam resilience? Could this help improve flood protection and drought management now and in the future?
• What are the key requirements for sustainable and climate-adaptive river regulation? What long-term, multidisciplinary impacts should be considered?

Climate change, reservoir management, optimization

University of Osnabruck, Deltares

All JCAR ATRACE basins

How can collaboration contribute improve flood and drought risk management in transboundary regional river basins?

This PhD researcher will investigate how different collaboration mechanisms can improve flood and drought risk management in transboundary river basins. The goal is to identify effective strategies and conditions for better transboundary water management, while fostering strategic collaboration between researchers and stakeholders. The study will address the following key questions:

• To what extent, and under what conditions, do various collaboration mechanisms enhance flood and drought risk management in transboundary regional river basins?
• How can JCAR ATRACE researchers and stakeholders effectively apply different collaboration mechanisms in the selected JCAR ATRACE river basins?

Collaboration mechanisms, flood and drought risk management, researchers and societal stakeholders

Deltares

Dommel and Brabantse Delta basins (N-Brabant/Limburg – Vlaanderen (Maasbekken) and Zeeland – Vlaanderen (Schelde)

How can transboundary cooperation and the comparison of regional methodologies improve stress testing, for both flood and drought hazards, in the transboundary river basins between Flanders and The Netherlands?

This research aims to improve transboundary cooperation and methodologies for stress testing, flood and drought hazard assessment, and climate adaptation planning in the Dutch-Flemish river basins. It focuses on comparing and evaluating regional methodologies applied in Flanders and The Netherlands, involving active participation from water authorities and stakeholders.

Stress testing, transboundary coorperation, flood and drought hazards

University de Liège, RWTH Aachen, Deltares

Vecht – Achterhoek / Deltarhein-Ost, Limburg – NRW / Maas-Nord & Süd and Limburg / Wallonie

• What field instrumentations can be implemented at catchment scale to facilitate the measurement of hydrological/hydraulic parameters, including precipitations, water levels, surface velocities, discharges and debris characteristics (e.g. moment of arrival, size, volumes)?
• How do these hydraulic/hydrological parameters and key debris characteristics affect the performance of critical flow conveyance structures during extreme flood events?
  
• How can these new data be used to improve hydrological predictions, as well as modelling of flood damage? Can we develop integrated flood mitigation measures across the catchments?

Part 1: Monitoring – Building up on an ongoing RAT study, field instrumentations will be installed at selected locations across the river basins in the Benelux and Germany to detect key hydraulic/hydrological parameters. These will include precipitations, evaporation, soil moisture, (ground)water levels, surface velocities and discharges.

Part 2: Modelling – Based on information collected in Part 1 (monitoring) and literature we will develop specific model that will improve the forecasting of the main hydraulic/hydrological parameters associated with these extreme flows. In parallel, we will conduct hydraulic simulations of flow behavior at hydraulic structures, including the formation, development and possible breakage of debris accumulations.

Part 3: Implementing – Results from points 1 and 2 will be used to improve the existing knowledge on the river basin response to extreme events, including more reliable flood prediction models and improved early-warning systems.

Monitoring, hydrological/hydraulic parameters, critical flow conveyance characteristics

GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, VU Amsterdam, Deltares

All JCAR ATRACE basins

This research aims to develop methodologies to understand and prepare for High-Impact/Low-Probability (HILP) flood events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change and societal complexities. The project will focus on constructing plausible HILP scenarios, assessing their impacts on flood defenses and critical infrastructure, and designing risk reduction measures in collaboration with stakeholders. The research will address two main questions:

• What are plausible HILP events (currently and in a changing world; e.g. in 2°C warmer world)?
• Which measures are suitable to reduce disastrous consequences if they occur?

HILP events, climate change, scenario construction