Elaboration of simple flash-flood early warning tool by combining hydrological modelling and precipitation accumulated along the river network

Our group has been asked to develop a early warning tool for small ungauged areas of southern Switzerland. Such regions are prone to flash flood and one important risk is rainfall events including orographic forcing.

Background

Our group has been asked to develop a early warning tool for small ungauged areas of southern Switzerland. Such regions are prone to flash flood and one important risk is rainfall events including orographic forcing. In the Framework of the EU-Project IMPRINTS (http://www.imprints-fp7.eu/) different methodologies have been presented in order to improve the predictability of flash floods. It is now our wish to combine some of the approaches delivered by the project and implement a novel solution in our area of interest. Close contact to end-users is guaranteed.

Tasks

Goal of this master thesis is the contribution to the development of a Flash-Flood early warning system consisting of following elements:
  • Spatially distributed antecedent condition as provided by a hydrological model;
  • Quantitative precipitation forecasts provided by different numerical weather prediction models;
  • Use of advanced weather radar quantitative precipitation estimates;
  • High resolution digital terrain model;
  • High resolution precipitation climatology for derivation of Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves for short term rainfall.

The obtained algorithms need to be tested. The skill will be evaluated against observed discharge of different rivers and against soft data consisting of press headlines of small scale events.

Literature

http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/15/2327/2011/hess-15-2327-2011.html

http://www.adv-geosci.net/29/69/2011/adgeo-29-69-2011.html

Profile of the candidate

The candidate has to be motivated in completing a successful Master Thesis. He/she should be able to work independently. He/she brings sound knowledge on climatology and catchment hydrology. Basic knowledge in Statistics (e.g. R) is welcome. Candidates with knowledge of a programming language (C, FORTRAN, Tcl, and IDL) or the motivation to learning a scripting language are particularly adequate.

The Research Group

http://www.wsl.ch/fe/gebirgshydrologie/HEX/index_EN

Contact

Massimiliano Zappa
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WLS
Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf
Phone +41 44 739 24 33

Email: zappa@wsl.ch