Variations of dissolved iron in the Amur River during an extreme flood event in 2013

As a key factor limiting primary productivity in marine ecosystem, dissolved iron(DFe) export from fluvial systems has increased recently. There is particular concern about discharges of DFe during extreme flooding, when they are thought to increase considerably. An extreme flood event that caused inundation of extensive areas of Far Eastern Russia and Northeastern China occurred in the basin of the Amur River during summer and autumn 2013. During this event, water samples were collected in the middle reaches of the Amur River and the lower reaches at Khabarovsk City and analyzed for DFe concentrations and other aquatic parameters. The results show that the average DFe concentrations in the middle reaches of the Amur River(right bank) and at Khabarovsk were 1.11 mg/L and 0.32 mg/L, respectively, during the extreme flood in 2013. The total discharge of DFe during the flood event was 6.25 × 104 t. The high discharge of DFe during the flood reflects the elevated discharge of the river, hydrologically connected riparian wetlands, vast quantities of terrestrial runoff, and flood discharges from the Zeya and Bureya reservoirs. These results show that long-term monitoring is needed to identify and assess the impacts of DFe transport on the downstream reaches, estuarine area, and coastal ecosystems of the Amur River.     

RESEARCH ON SYSTEM OF FLOOD DISASTER CONTROL AND REDUCTION SUPPORTED BY GIS IN MEDIUM AND SMALL BASINS

Southeast China coastal areas belong to subtropical monsoon climatic zone,thus easily affected by floods resulted from typhoons and rainstorm.Since the areas of river basins are small,rivers flood regulation capacities are low,and therefore flood hazard is grave.In the paper,taking the Yongjiang basin in southeast China as an example,the approaches and methods of geographic information system(GIS) applied to flood disaster control and reduction research on small basin are explred.On GIS help the rainfall-runoff calculation model and the river dchannel flood routing model are developed.And the evaluating flood submerged are and the damage assessment models are built supported by digit elevation models.Lastly the decision support system on GIS supported for flood control in research basin has been set up.This greatly improves flood-proofing decision-making capacities in river basin,and provides valuable information and a mode for flood prevention and reduction in the medium and small basin .Meanwhile,the research indicates that technologies of GIS provide a powerful tool for flood disaster control.     

Long-term monitoring of the recruitment and dynamics of large wood in Kamienica Stream,Polish Carpathians

Studies presenting long-term observations of the recruitment and mobility of large wood in mountain watercourses are scarce, but they can considerably contribute to the knowledge of river/riparian forest interactions and the assessment of flood hazard resulting from wood mobility during floods. Widespread dieback of riparian forest along the headwater course of Kamienica Stream in the Polish Carpathians, caused by bark beetle infestation of spruce trees, has raised concerns about potential increases of large wood recruitment to the stream and of the flood hazard to downstream valley reaches. In October 2009, 429 trees growing along three sections of the stream were tagged with numbered metal plates and monitored over 10 years to determine the timing and causes of their delivery to the channel and the lengths of their displacement during individual flood events. Moreover, in 2012 the mode of location of wood deposits and a degree of wood decay were determined in the second-to fourth-order stream reaches. The monitoring of tagged trees indicated that trees were recruited to the channel during highintensity meteorological and hydrological events,mostly as a result of bank erosion during floods or windthrow. With 22% of tagged trees recruited to the channel during 10 years, the rate of turnover of the riparian trees was estimated at 45 years. As the riparian area is overgrown with trees with ages up to～160 years, the rate evidences substantial intensification of large wood recruitment to the channel in the recent period. Results of large wood inventory and the 10-year-long monitoring of tagged trees indicated variable mobility of large wood along the upper course of the stream. Wood mobility was negligible in the second-order stream reach, very small in the third-order reach, and greater, but still limited in the fourth-order reach. Wood is transported longer distances only during major floods.However, the advanced state of decay of most pieces leads to their disintegration during floods, precluding distant transport. Thus, large wood retained in the upper stream course does not constitute an important flood hazard to downstream, inhabited valley reaches.     

The effects of rainfall regimes and rainfall characteristics on peak discharge in a small debris flow-prone catchment

Peak discharge plays an important role in triggering channelized debris flows. The rainfall regimes and rainfall characteristics have been demonstrated to have important influences on peak discharge. In order to explore the relationship between rainfall regimes and peak discharge, a measuring system was placed at the outlet of a small, debris flow-prone catchment. The facility consisted of an approximately rectangular stilling basin, ending with a sharp-crested weir. Six runoff events were recorded which provided a unique opportunity for characterizing the hydrological response of the debris flow-prone catchment. Then, a rainfall–runoff model was tested against the flow discharge measurements to have a deep understanding of hydrological response. Based on the calibrated rainfall-runoff model, twelve different artificially set rainfall patterns were regarded as the input parameters to investigate the effect of rainfall regimes on peak discharge. The results show that the rainfall patterns have a significant effect on peak discharge. The rainfall regimes which have higher peak rainfall intensity and peak rainfall point occur at the later part of rainfall process are easy to generate larger peak discharge in the condition of the same cumulative rainfall and duration. Then, in order to explore the relationship between rainfall characteristics and peak discharge under different cumulative precipitation and different duration, 167 measured rainfall events were also collected. On the basis of rainfall depth, rainfall duration, and maximum hourly intensity, all the rainfall events were classified into four categories by using K-mean clustering. Rainfall regime 1 was composed of rainfall events with a moderate mean P(precipitation), a moderate D(duration), and a moderate I_(60)(maximum hourly intensity). Rainfall regime 2 was the group of rainfall events with a high mean P, long D. Rainfall regime 3, however, had a low P and a long D. The characteristic of Rainfall regime 4 was high I_(60) and short duration with large P. The results show that the rainfall regime 2 and 4 are easier to generate peak discharge as the rainfall intensity plays an important role in generating peak discharge. The results in this study have implications for improving peak discharge prediction accuracy in debris flow gully.     

Hazard mitigation planning for debris flow based on numerical simulation using Kanako simulator

Debris flow often causes enormous loss to life and property,especially on alluvial fans.Engineering structures such as retention check dams are essential to reduce the damage.In hazard mitigation evaluation and planning it is of significance to determine the location,size and type of dam and the effects of damage mitigation.We present a numerical simulation method using Kanako simulator for hazard mitigation planning of debris flow disaster in Tanjutani Gully,Kyoto City,Japan.The simulations were carried out for three situations:1) the simulations of erosion,deposition,hydrograph changing and inundation when there were no mitigation measures;2) the simulations of check dams in four locations(470 m,810 m,1,210 m and 1,610 m from the upstream end) to identify the best location;3) the simulations of check dams of three types(closed,slit and grid) to analyze their effects on sediment trapping and discharge reduction.Based on the simulations,it was concluded that two closed check dams(located at 470 m and 1,610 m from the upstream end) in the channel and a drainage channel on the alluvial fan can reduce the risk on the alluvial fan to an acceptable level.     

High resolution records of flood deposition in the mud area off the Changjiang River mouth during the past century

This paper presents a paleoflood study to determine the flood frequency of the Changjiang River, based on core cj0702, taken from the Changjiang River subaqueous delta. We identified flood deposits by means of high-resolution grain-size variation, sensitive population, geochemical indexes and magnetic susceptibility. The core covers a time span of 120 years by 210 Pb dating and was sampled at 1–2 cm intervals. Grain size, geochemical elements, and physical parameters were analyzed. The results indicate that the sediment of the core is mainly composed of silt and clay, as well as groups of interbedded silt, clay silt, and clay. Vertically, the grain size pattern was controlled by seasonal variations in water discharge and by the sediment input in winter from the abandoned Huanghe River delta. River flooding caused extreme values in all our measured parameters. We identified more than 20 flood events that occurred since 1887 using the physical parameter analysis method. The environmentally sensitive component of sediment grain size(14.32–96.39 μm) contribution30%, Zr/Rb ratio1.5, and magnetic susceptibility16 were selected as the criteria for flood identification generally. We also found that floods that had taken place in the upstream, midstream, or downstream parts of the river were clearly identified by these indexes while the large-scale floods that covered the whole drainage area did not leave clear indications in the sediment record. This study for identification of flood events is of great significance for understanding hyperpycnal current sedimentation as well as for forecasting of floods.     

Cumulative impact of dam constructions on streamflow and sediment regime in lower reaches of the Jinsha River,China

The cumulative effect of cascade hydropower stations on river ecological environment has been widely concerned because of the significant streamflow hydrology change induced by dam constructions. The characteristics of the change in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, China are analyzed based on long-term(1952–2015) hydrological and sedimentological data. The averaging coefficient, reservoir regulation coefficient(RRC), incoming sediment coefficient(ISC), and sediment transport modulus(STM), which reflect the variation of streamflow and sediment regimes, are defined and calculated. The results show that the construction and regulation of reservoirs reduces flow in flood season, increases flow in dry season, significantly altering the monthly discharge regimes. These alterations also led directly to changes in the timing of extreme flows at Pingshan Station. The monthly flow records at the basin outlet are reconstructed using stepwise regression, to reduce reservoir impacts. Comparisons of observed and reconstructed monthly flows demonstrate that the previous studies overestimated the cumulative effects of cascade reservoirs on flow processes. Furthermore, this study clearly illustrates that the reduction in sediment trapping and sediment transportation capacity together lead to the sharp reduction in annual sediment yield at the Pingshan Station. The earlier constructed reservoirs have more obvious effects on the ISC and STM than the more recent reservoirs and the effect of sediment trapping is related to reservoir location, on the main stream versus tributaries.     

Evaluation of a traditional method for peak flow discharge estimation for floods in the Wenchuan Earthquake area,Sichuan Province,China

Peak discharge of flood in small mountainous watershed is usually calculated using the "Rainstorm–runoff calculation method in small watersheds in Sichuan Province"(RRM). This study evaluated the RRM calculation using real-time monitored rainfall and hydrologic data from a small watershed in the Wenchuan Earthquake area of Sichuan Province, China. The results indicated that the discharge values given by the RRM are commonly overestimating the measured discharge. The overestimation rate was discussed and empirical equations were proposed for improving RRM estimations, based on the relationship between calculated and measured discharge values at different watershed scales(2, 30, and 40 km2), under different rainfall probabilities(0.97–0.5, 0.5–0.2, and 0.2–0.002), and for different rainfall durations(0–6, 6–24, and 24 h). The results of this study help contribute to the understanding of water floods formation and help provide more accurate estimations of peak flow discharge in small watersheds in the Wenchuan Earthquake area.     

A catastrophic debris flow in the Wenchuan Earthquake area,July 2013: characteristics,formation, and risk reduction

In the Wenchuan Earthquake area,many co-seismic landslides formed blocking-dams in debris flow channels. This blocking and bursting of landslide dams amplifies the debris flow scale and results in severe catastrophes. The catastrophic debris flow that occurred in Qipan gully(Wenchuan,Southwest China) on July 11,2013 was caused by intense rainfall and upstream cascading bursting of landslide dams. To gain an understanding of the processes of dam bursting and subsequent debris flow scale amplification effect,we attempted to estimate the bursting debris flow peak discharges along the main gully and analyzed the scale amplification process. The results showed that the antecedent and triggering rainfalls for 11 July debris flow event were 88.0 mm and 21.6 mm,respectively. The event highlights the fact that lower rainfall intensity can trigger debris flows after the earthquake. Calculations of the debris flow peak discharge showed that the peak discharges after the dams-bursting were 1.17–1.69 times greater than the upstream peak discharge. The peak discharge at the gully outlet reached 2553 m~3/s which was amplified by 4.76 times in comparison with the initial peak discharge in the upstream. To mitigate debris flow disasters,a new drainage channel with a trapezoidal V-shaped cross section was proposed. The characteristic lengths(h1 and h2) under optimal hydraulic conditions were calculated as 4.50 m and 0.90 m,respectively.     

Estimation of sediment load and erosion of different geological units: A case study from a basin of north-eastern Iran

Erosion of geological units and sediment load in rivers can be considered as the serious problems in recent decades.Increasing sediment loads generate major hazards for water resources development,particularly in terms of loss of reservoir storage due to sedimentation and siltation of water distribution systems.In this paper,the performance of four sediment rating curve (SRC) development methods was evaluated for the Shirin Darreh River(SDR) basin (1750 km2),located in North Khorasan Province,Iran.Data of flow discharge (Q) and suspended sediment flux (SSF)(Q-SSF pairs,N=957)and daily flow discharge,recorded by the Regional Water Company of North Khorasan (RWCNK) at the Qaleh-Barbar (QB) gauging site during 1989-2018were used.The flow discharge classification method performed best by meeting the desired criteria of most statistical indices,including normalized root mean square error (NRMSE),mean bias error (MBE),mean absolute error (MAE),index of agreement (d),and coefficient of determination (R~2).Based on the optimized method,the rate of suspended sediment transportation at the study site was estimated about2.7×10~6 ton year~(-1).Erodibility of the exposed formations in the study area was estimated based on a factorial scoring model (FSM).Three indices,focused on the outcrop and erodibility,were calculated for the geological units at sub-basin and total scales.Marl deposits are the most extensive geological unit in the three sub-basins and the maximum formation outcrop ratio (FOR) and participation in erosion (PCE)were obtained for these rocks at total scale.In fact,marl unit can be regarded as the main source to supply the suspended sediments in the study basin.     

Coupled 2D Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Modeling of Megaflood due to Glacier Dam-break in Altai Mountains,Southern Siberia

One of the largest known megafloods on earth resulted from a glacier dam-break,which occurred during the Late Quaternary in the Altai Mountains in Southern Siberia.Computational modeling is one of the viable approaches to enhancing the understanding of the flood events.The computational domain of this flood is over 9460 km2 and about 3.784 × 106 cells are involved as a 50 m × 50 m mesh is used,which necessitates a computationally efficient model.Here the Open MP(Open Multiprocessing) technique is adopted to parallelize the code of a coupled 2D hydrodynamic and sediment transport model.It is shown that the computational efficiency is enhanced by over 80% due to the parallelization.The floods over both fixed and mobile beds are well reproduced with specified discharge hydrographs at the dam site.Qualitatively,backwater effects during the flood are resolved at the bifurcation between the Chuja and Katun rivers.Quantitatively,the computed maximum stage and thalweg are physically consistent with the field data of the bars and deposits.The effects of sediment transport and morphological evolution on the flood are considerable.Sensitivity analyses indicate that the impact of the peak discharge is significant,whilst those of the Manningroughness,medium sediment size and shape of the inlet discharge hydrograph are marginal.     

Mountain effect and differences in storm floods between northern and southern sources of the Songhua River Basin

In this study, the differences in annual rainstorm changes in the Second Songhua River Basin and the Nenjiang River basin and their causes were compared from the perspective of mountain effects. The following results were drawn: (1) Altitude effect is the primary factor leading to increased rainstorms in the southern source; (2) Slope effect primarily leads to differences of the weather systems in the two sources, and thus cause the difference of the rainstorms; (3) Slope effect is responsible for the greater fluctuation in the observed floods in the southern source. These landform differences eventually lead to the differences in the characteristics of floods in the southern and northern sources. Commensurability method was used to identify the period of rainstorms in the southern and northern sources. The results showed that although rainstorms do not appear at the same time in the two sources they are characteristic of a 10 years’ period in both areas. These results can serve as hydrological references for flood control and long-term flood disaster predictions.     

Relation between basin morphometric features and dynamic characteristics of debris flows——a case study in Siberia,Russia

Extreme and prolonged rainfall in the Tunka Ridge caused several debris flows in the vicinity of the Arshan village(Siberia, Russia) on June 28, 2014. These debris flows, in spite of similar geological conditions, had different velocity, peak discharge and alluvial fan volume values. The flow velocity was from 3.5 m/s to 19.6 m/s, the peak discharge ranged from 63 m3/s to 13566 m3/s, and the alluvial fan volume varied from 4.13×103 to 8.45×105 m3. Such a great range of values is due to the morphometric parameters of the debris flow basins. The article deals with the influence of morphometric parameters of debris flow basins, such as the basin area, the average slope, Melton ratio, relief ratio on the debris flow velocity, peak discharge and volume of alluvial fans. In this debris flow event the average values of slope angle and total basin relief of the debris flow basins did not affect the values of debris flow velocity, peak discharge and alluvial fan volume. The highest correlations were observed with the debris flow basin area that was connected with the water inflow volume into the debris flow basins during the rainfall. The unequal water distribution among debris flow basins also had an impact on the debris flow velocity, peak discharge and volume of alluvial fans.     

Anomalies of bromine in the estuarine sediments as a signal of floods associated with typhoons

X-ray fluorescence scanning with synchrotron radiation was performed to study sediment core records of floods in Amur Bay,Sea of Japan.Interlayers of 3–8 mm with abnormally low bromine content were formed by the Razdolnaya River discharge to the central part of the bay during extreme floods,accompanied by severe storms at sea.Such conditions in the region are typical for periods of deep tropical cyclones(typhoons),to which the distinguished interlayers were compared on the timescale.This approach was made possible thanks to the high rate of sedimentation in the bay(3–5 mm/a) and low bioturbation of sediments under anoxic conditions.     

Seismic response of the Lengzhuguan slope during Kangding Ms5.8 earthquake

In order to investigate the role of the amplification of peak ground acceleration(PGA) in seismic landslide formation mechanisms and study how earthquake waves interact with rock structures, a few strong-motion seismometers are installed at various locations on both sides of the Lengzhuguan gully. Five strong-motion seismometers were triggered at different depths in a tunnel at the same altitude during the Kangding Ms 5.8 earthquake on November 25 th, 2014. The data reveal that the horizontal peak acceleration(PGA_H) at each site decreased with increasing site depths. The PGAH at the deepest monitoring site(99 m from the tunnel entrance) was approximately half that of the outermost site. The amplitude of the acceleration response spectrum was also attenuated from the entrance inwards, the dynamic magnification factor(β) of the standard acceleration spectrum was less than 3.5, and rate of change was the same as that for the amplitude acceleration response. The Fourier spectra of each monitoring site also decreased from the outside inwards, and the components of the Fourier spectra were more complex at the surface.     

Swelling characteristics of andesite foundation induced by water immersion and their influence on ballastless track subgrade

To study the mechanical and deformation characteristics of ballastless track subgrade filled with micro-expansion fillers in a water-immersed environment, a physical model of ballastless track subgrade was constructed on a 1:2 scale with expansive andesite fillers. A water immersion test was carried out to model the soaking of the expansive soil foundation caused by rising groundwater. The swelling behaviors of the foundation and their influences upon the mechanics and deformations of the subgrade were analyzed. The lateral swelling pressure of the foundation and the heave of the subgrade obviously increased due to the water immersion, and the values were closely related to the overlying load and lateral restraint. The heave deformation of the double-line ballastless track subgrade showed significant nonuniformity along the lateral direction, causing the track slab to incline with a maximum inclination angle of 1.55×10^-3 deg. The heave of the foundation caused a heave in subgrade, but this transferred heave was significantly attenuated. The attenuation rate of the heave at the midline of the track slab was up to 13.38%. The attenuation characteristic can be fully utilized for the anti-heave deformation measures of railway subgrade in expansive soil areas.     

Water discharge variability of Changjiang （Yangtze） and Huanghe （Yellow） Rivers and its response to climatic changes

Influences of large-scale climatic phenomena, such as the E1Nifio/La Nifia-Southem Oscillation （ENSO） and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO）, on the temporal variations of the annual water discharge at the Lijin station in the Huanghe （Yellow） River and at the Datong station in the Changjiang （Yangtze） River were examined. Using the empirical mode decomposition-maximum entropy spectral analysis （EMD- MESA） method, the 2- to 3-year, 8- to 14-year, and 23-year cyclical variations of the annual water discharge at the two stations were discovered. Based on the analysis results, the hydrological time series on the inter- annual to interdecadal scales were constructed. The results indicate that from 1950 to 2011, a significant downward trend occurred in the natural annual water discharge in Huanghe River. However, the changes in water discharge in Changjiang River basin exhibited a slightly upward trend. It indicated that the changes in the river discharge in the Huanghe basin were driven primarily by precipitation. Other factors, such as the precipitation over the Changjiang River tributaries, ice melt and evaporation contributed much more to the increase in the Changjiang River basin. Especially, the impacts of the inter-annual and inter-decadal climate oscillations such as ENSO and PDO could change the long-term patterns of precipitation over the basins of the two major rivers. Generally, low amounts of basin-wide precipitation on interannual to interdecadal scales over the two rivers corresponded to most of the warm ENSO events and the warm phases of the PDO, and vice versa. The positive phases of the PDO and ENSO could lead to reduced precipitation and consequently affect the long-term scale water discharges at the two rivers.     

Influence of Land Use/Cover Change on Storm Runoff— A Case Study of Xitiaoxi River Basin in Upstream of Taihu Lake Watershed

Land use/cover change (LUCC) is one of the main boundary conditions which influence many hydrologic processes. In view of the importance of Taihu Lake Watershed in China and the urgency of discovering the impacts of LUCC on storm runoff, two flood events under five land cover scenarios in the Xitiaoxi River Basin of the upstream of Taihu Lake watershed were simulated by distributed hydrologic modeling system HEC-HMS. The influences of each land cover on storm runoff were discussed. It was concluded that under the same rainstorm the ascending order of runoff coefficient and peak flow produced by the 5 different land covers were woodland, shrub, grassland, arable land, and built-up land; the descending order of swelling time were woodland, shrub, grassland, arable land, and built-up land. Scenario of built-up land was the first to reach peak flow, then arable land, grassland, shrub, and woodland. There were close relationships between the runoff coefficients produced by the 5 different land covers. The degrees of impacts on runoff coefficient of land cover change modes were sorted by descending: woodland to built-up land, shrub to built-up land, grassland to built-up land, arable land to built-up land, woodland to arable land, shrub to arable land, arable land to grassland, shrub to grassland, grassland to arable land, and woodland to shrub. Urbanization will contribute to flood disaster, while forestation will mitigate flood disaster.     

Characteristics, causes and mitigation of catastrophic debris flow hazard on 21 July 2011 at the Longda Watershed of Songpan County, China

Debris flow is a common natural hazard in the mountain areas of Western China due to favorable natural conditions,and also exacerbated by mountainous exploitation activities.This paper concentrated on the characteristics,causes and mitigation of a catastrophic mine debris flow hazard at Longda Watershed in Songpan County,Sichuan Province,on 21 July 2011.This debris flow deposited in the front of the No.1 dam,silted the drainage channel for flood and then rushed into tailing sediment reservoir in the main channel and made the No.2 dam breached.The outburst debris flow blocked Fu River,formed dammed lake and generated outburst flood,which delivered heavy metals into the lower reaches of Fu River,polluted the drink water source of the population of over 1 million.The debris flow was characterized with a density of 1.87~2.15 t/m 3 and a clay content of less than 1.63%.The peak velocity and flux at Longda Gully was over 10.0~10.9 m/s and 429.0~446.0 m 3 /s,respectively,and the flux was about 700 m 3 /s in main channel,equaling to the flux of the probability of 1%.About 330,000m 3 solid materials was transported by debris flow and deposited in the drainage tunnel(120,000~130,000 m 3),the front of No.1 dam(100,000 m 3) and the mouth of the watershed(100,000~110,000 m 3),respectively.When the peak flux and magnitude of debris flow was more than 462 m 3 /s and 7,423 m 3,respectively,it would block Fu River and produce a hazard chain which was composed of debris flow,dammed lake and outburst flood.Furthermore,the 21 July large-scale debris flow was triggered by rainstorm with an intensity of 21.2 mm/0.5 h and the solid materials of debris flow were provided by landslides,slope deposits,mining wastes and tailing sediments.The property losses were mainly originated from the silting of the drainage tunnel for flash flood but not for debris flow and the irrational location of tailing sediment reservoir.Therefore,the mitigation measures for mine debris flows were presented:(1) The disastrous debris flow watershed should be identified in planning period and prohibited from being taken as the site of mining factories;(2) The mining facilities are constructed at the safe areas or watersheds;(3) Scoria plots,concentrator factory and tailing sediment reservoir are constructed in safe areas where the protection measures be easily made against debris flows;(4) The appropriate system and plan of debris flow mitigation including monitoring,remote monitoring and early-warning and emergency plan is established;(5) The stability of waste dump and tailing sediment reservoir are monitored continuously to prevent mining debris flows.     

Dam-break Modeling in Alpine Valleys

Dam-break analysis is of great importance in mountain environment,especially where reservoirs are located upstream of densely populated areas and hydraulic hazard should be assessed for land planning purposes.Accordingly,there is a need to identify suitable operative tools which may differ from the ones used in flat flood-prone areas.This paper shows the results provided by a 1D and a 2D model based on the Shallow Water Equations（SWE） for dam-break wave propagation in alpine regions.The 1D model takes advantage of a topographic toolkit that includes an algorithm for pre-processing the Digital Elevation Model（DEM） and of a novel criterion for the automatic cross-section space refinement.The 2D model is FLO-2D,a commercial software widely used for flood routing in mountain areas.In order to verify the predictive effectiveness of these numerical models,the test case of the Cancano dam-break has been recovered from the historical study of De Marchi（1945）,which provides a unique laboratory data set concerning the consequences of the potential collapse of the former Cancano dam（Northern Italy）.The measured discharge hydrograph at the dam also provides the data to test a simplified method recently proposed for the characterization of the hydrograph following a sudden dam-break.