Assessing the organic pollution of surface water of Medjerda watershed (NE Algeria)

Water quality in the Northern part of Mellegue-Medjerda watershed (East Algeria) has been adversely affected by important pollutants discharged into the Medjerda wadi without, in most cases, any treatment. Chemical and physical degradation are due to agricultural and industrial practices and domestic wastewaters. Over a three-month period, a study of the low-flow water quality characteristics throughout Medjerda wadi was undertaken. Longitudinal profiles of water quality were constructed using data from fourteen sites. All sewage, agricultural, and industrial inputs were included. Analyzed properties were nutrients (NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺, and PO₄ ³⁻), Biochemical oxygen demand after five days (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dissolved oxygen (DO). Along Medjerda wadi, all values change because of conditions specific to each sampling station. Nitrate was the most important form of nitrogen-element load (94%). Its concentration reached 34.3 mg L⁻¹ at OM₄ point, downstream of domestic wastewater discharges. The spatial evolution of the organic pollution index (OPI) shows that the wastewater effluent constitutes the main source of pollution. Indeed, water quality goes from a moderate pollution state at some sampling stations not or slightly affected by wastewaters discharges to a very strong pollution state (OPI of about 1.75) downstream of the domestic effluents inputs of Souk-Ahras city.     

Delineation of fresh aquifers in tannery belt for sustainable development — A case study from southern India

The tannery effluents discharged by the existing units on either side of the Palar river at Ambur town (known for tannery industry), has resulted in vertical and lateral spread of pollution. The study area of 55.3 km² is situated on a granitic terrain of Archaean age with undulating topography and hillocks. The shallow aquifers, in flood plain and valley fills of the river are highly polluted (with EC: 15340 μS/cm) by tannery effluents making groundwater unfit for any use, hence the local population (20000) face health hazards and shortage of potable water. Hydrogeological, geophysical and in-situ groundwater quality measurement were carried out to demarcate fresh groundwater zones and to delineate lateral and vertical extent of pollution. The results show, brackish aquifer was characterized by low order of resistivity (<20 Ω-m) with a thickness of 8.5 to 28 m located in the flood plains, valley fills, and partially in hard rock formations, whereas the fresh water aquifer resistivity varying from 23 to 216 Ω-m in hard rock. Further, these results were correlated with the water quality data and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) signals. The integrated studies revealed that pollution due to tannery effluents has spread over an area of 33.4 km² (60.4 %) on either side of the river and only a small area of 21.9 km² (39.6 %) was identified as fresh groundwater zone, which has to be conserved and exploited in sustainable manner for future generations.     

The changing characteristics of drought in China from 1982 to 2005

Drought is one of the most detrimental natural disasters. Studying the changing characteristics of drought is obviously of great importance to achieve the sustainable use of water resources at river basin scales. In this paper, the satellite-based Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Vegetation Health Index (VH) were firstly calculated by using NDVI and brightness of the Global Vegetation Index dataset derived from Advance Very High Resolution Radiometer for China in growing seasons over 1982–2005. Then, the long-term VCI and VH data were employed to study the variation of droughts in the ten basins covering the whole country. The linear trend of each pixel showed that most parts of China were getting wetter in growing seasons, and the drought areas defined by the number of drought pixels have decreased in most basins. The increasing trend of basin averaged values of VCI and VH also indicates the whole country was generally getting wetter. At last, to better understand the two remote sensing drought indices, the response of the growing-season VCI and VH was compared to that of the Palmer Drought Severity Index and 6-month Standard Precipitation Index. Significant spatial variability of the relationship between the VCI, VH, and the station-based meteorological drought indices was shown, and some more closely related areas were found. The study will be useful for water resources management for each basin in the future.     

The reconstruction of a glacial lake outburst flood using HEC-RAS and its significance for future hazard assessments: an example from Lake 513 in the Cordillera Blanca,Peru

In April 2010, an ice/rockfall into Lake 513 triggered a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) along the Chucchun River in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. This paper reconstructs the hydrological characteristics of this as yet undocumented event using a 1D flood model prepared with HEC-RAS. The principle model inputs were obtained during detailed field surveys of surface characteristics and topography within the river and across the adjacent floodplain; a total of 120 cross-sections were surveyed. These inputs were refined further by eyewitness accounts and additional geomorphological observations. The flood modelling has enabled us to constrain the extent of the water surface and its elevation at each cross-section in addition to defining the peak discharge (580 m³ s^?1). These modelling results show good agreement with other information about the flood including: flood marks and minimum flood levels; the lake displacement wave height; the extent of the flooded area; and the travel time from Lake 513 to the confluence with the Santa River. This demonstrates that the model offers a reliable reconstruction of the basic hydrological characteristics of the GLOF. It provides important information about the flood intensity and significantly improves our ability to model future flood scenarios along both the studied river and within neighbouring catchments. The flood hazard, defined by the flood depth during peak discharge, shows that the majority of the damaged infrastructure (houses, bridges, and a drinking water treatment plant) was only subjected to low or medium flood intensities (defined by a maximum water depth of less than 2 m). These low flood intensities help to explain why the flooding caused comparatively minor damage despite the significant public attention it attracted.     

河西内陆干旱区地表和地下水资源的相互转化研究

根据有关台站的水文气象观测资料及"九五"国家科技重点攻关项目"96－912"专题有关成果,对甘肃省河西内陆干旱区地表水、地下水资源的数量、分布特征与变化规律及相互转化关系进行了分析和研究。结果表明,内陆干旱地区的地表径流主要形成于中、高山区,散失于山前平原和沙漠。径流的补给来源主要为大气降水、冰雪融水和地下水。降水量及其时空分布对水资源的形成有着重要的影响。这里降水、河川径流与地下水转化关系十分明显。内陆干旱地区水资源最主要的特征就是从山区到平原地表水与地下水在不同地质地貌单元间的相互转化,并且由径流源区的山区到河流下游的平原,不同区域、不同地段地表水与地下水的转化关系及地下水的流动模式亦不相同：即由降水与冰雪融水下渗所形成的山区地下水绝大部分以基流形式排泄,形成地表径流进入盆地;而河流在进入盆地或平原区流经透水性极强的山前冲、洪积平原后又大量渗漏补给地下水,山前冲、洪积扇平原的地下水沿地形坡降向冲积平原运动至冲积扇缘地带后,由于含水层土壤颗粒变细,导水性减弱,形成地下水溢出带,地下水沿沟壑呈泉水大量溢出地表,汇集成泉沟进入河流而转化成为地表水。在冲、洪积扇以下的冲积平原上,潜水含水层土壤颗粒细,地下水埋藏浅,径流水平流动缓慢,地下水以垂向水量交替为主。在自然状态下,冲积平原下游直到尾闾湖;洪水季节（洪水季节外,河川径流量很小甚至没有）河流泻洪通过河道补给地下水,余水进入尾闾湖。正是水量不大的河水及其所转化形成的地下水维系着西北内陆干旱地河流下游地区的绿州的存在和这里十分脆弱的生态环境。这些地表水与地下水之间的转化过程的这种特征直接影响本地区水资源的开发利用模式。目前,在上游地区大规模发展经济、开发水资源的情况下,随着地表径流利用率的不断提高和地下水得到的补给减少,许多地方泉水量减少甚至枯竭,原来的泉灌区被迫变为井灌区。冲积平原下游即使在洪水季节也很难接受上游地表径流的补给,造成地下水位持续下降,植被死亡,土壤荒漠化。因此,内陆干旱区的水资源开发利用必须从整个流域的角度出发进行统一的合理的规划,总结不同类型地区水资源开发利用过程中的经验教训,逐步建立不同类型最优化的水资源利用模式,这将对今后干旱区的水资源开发利用具有重要的意义。     

中国防洪若干重大问题的思考

为配合中国水利部组织编制全国主要江河防洪规划工作,对与编制防洪规划有关的若干重大问题进行了研究。提出用20世纪发生过的大洪水淹没范围作为界定防洪区的基础;风险管理最重要的是规避风险和应对风险,而规避风险的核心是约束人类不合理的经济社会活动,降低洪水灾害造成的风险;当防洪区受到两种洪水风险威胁时,应当采用二维概率分布核查防洪区的标准;合理提高城市防洪标准,是城市防洪的首要任务;要协调城市防洪与城市建设的关系,充分发挥城市拦蓄雨洪的作用(如保留必要的水面率、雨水利用等),蓄排兼顾,而不宜过分强调城市排水;建议根据淹没水深、淹没历时和洪水频率组成的洪水风险度因子划分蓄滞洪区风险区,并结合蓄滞洪区自然地理条件比选安全建设模式。     

Development of roughness updating based on artificial neural network in a river hydraulic model for flash flood forecasting

Flood is the worst weather-related hazard in Taiwan because of steep terrain and storm. The tropical storm often results in disastrous flash flood. To provide reliable forecast of water stages in rivers is indispensable for proper actions in the emergency response during flood. The river hydraulic model based on dynamic wave theory using an implicit finite-difference method is developed with river roughness updating for flash flood forecast. The artificial neural network (ANN) is employed to update the roughness of rivers in accordance with the observed river stages at each time-step of the flood routing process. Several typhoon events at Tamsui River are utilized to evaluate the accuracy of flood forecasting. The results present the adaptive n-values of roughness for river hydraulic model that can provide a better flow state for subsequent forecasting at significant locations and longitudinal profiles along rivers.     

Hydrogeochemistry of sulfur isotopes in the Kalix River catchment,northern Sweden

The³⁴S-to-³²S ratio in dissolved SO₄ has been studied in the Kalix River, Northern Sweden, and its catchment. Weekly sampling over 17 months revealed temporal variations from +5.3‰ up to +7.4‰ in the δ³⁴S values in the river. Snow and rain samples showed lower δ³⁴S values (average +5.6‰ and +5.0‰, respectively). The atmosphere is the major source for S in surface waters in the catchment, and the heavier δ³⁴S values in the river are a result of SO₄ reduction within the catchment.Most of the temporal variations in the δ³⁴S value in the river are caused by a mixing of water from the mountain areas (relatively light δ³⁴S) and the woodland. The δ³⁴S value is relatively heavy in the woodland tributaries because of bacterial SO₄ reduction in peatland areas influenced by groundwater.The highest δ³⁴S values were measured during the spring flood, in June and in November. These heavy δ³⁴S values are related to different types of water with diverse origins.The heavy δ³⁴S values coinciding with the early spring flood originate from peatland areas in the woodland. Relatively heavy δ³⁴S values (up to +14.4‰) were registered in mire water. Smaller variations of the δ³⁴S value during summer and early autumn most likely were caused by the input of ground-mire water during heavy rains. A correlation between increased TOC concentrations and increased δ³⁴S values was observed.The heavy δ³⁴S values in June and November probably originate from SO₄ reduction in bottom water and sediments in lakes within the catchment. Bottom water, enriched in³⁴SSO₄, was transported in the river during the spring and autumn overturn.     

Modelling river-floodplain interaction during flood propagation

The (re)integration of flood storage areas in the river system is considered and proved as an effective flood protection measure. By their (controlled) filling and emptying, inundation risks for downstream areas with higher vulnerability can be reduced. They have an influence not only on the flood level, but also on the residence time of the water in the river ecosystem, which is an important biological parameter. A good prediction of storage flow is therefore necessary in an integrated ecosystem model. In such a model, which is being developed by the universities of Ghent and Antwerp, hydraulic, biological and biogeochemical processes are coupled. In this paper, a one-dimensional hydrodynamic module of the integrated STRIVE (STReam RIVer Ecosystem) model, which is based on the de Saint–Venant equations and solved by the Preissmann scheme, is adapted to be able to include flow exchange with storage cells. This model is validated with experimental laboratory measurements on a small scale. The flow between the storage cells and the river is controlled by weirs (flooded river banks). Model simulations with STRIVE are also compared with HEC-RAS simulations. Good agreement between simulations of both models and between the STRIVE simulations and the measurements is found.     

Sedimentation in a river dominated estuary

The Mgeni Estuary on the wave dominated east coast of South Africa occupies a narrow, bedrock confined, alluvial valley and is partially blocked at the coast by an elongate sandy barrier. Fluvial sediment extends to the barrier and marine deposition is restricted to a small flood tidal delta. Sequential aerial photography, sediment sampling and topographical surveys reveal a cyclical pattern of sedimentation that is mediated by severe fluvial floods which exceed normal energy thresholds. During severe floods (up to 10x 10³ m³ s^?1), lateral channel confinement promotes vertical erosion ofbed material. Eroded material is deposited as an ephemeral delta in the sea. After floods the river gradient is restored within a few months through rapid fluvial deposition and formation of a shallow, braided channel. Over an extended period (approximately 70 years) the estuary banks and bars are stabilised by vegetation and mud deposition. Subsequent downcutting in marginal areas transforms the channel to an anastomosing pattern which represents a stable morphology which adjusts to the normal range of hydrodynamic conditions. This cyclical pattern of deposition produces multiple fill sequences in such estuaries under conditions of stable sea level. The barrier and adjacent coastline prograde temporarily after major floods as the eroded barrier is reformed by wave action, but excess sediment is ultimately eroded as waves adjust the barrier to an equilibrium plan form morphology. Deltaic progradation is prevented by a steep nearshore slope, and rapid sediment dispersal by wave action and shelf currents. During transgression, estuarine sedimentation patterns are controlled by the balance between sedimentation rates and receiving basin volume. If fluvial sedimentation keeps pace with the volume increase of a basin an estuary may remain shallow and river dominated throughout its evolution and excess fluvial sediments pass through the estuary into the sea. Only if the rate of volume increase of the drowned river valley exceeds the volume of sediment supply are deep water environments formed. Under such conditions an estuary becomes a sediment sink and infills by deltaic progradation and lateral accretion as predicted by evolutionary models for microtidal estuaries. Bedrock valley geometry may exert an important control on this rate of volume increase independently of variations in the rate of relative sea level change. If estuarine morphology is viewed as a function of the balance of wave, tidal and fluvial processes, the Mgeni Estuary may be defined as a river dominated estuary in which deltaic progradation at the coast is limited by high wave energy. It is broadly representative of other river dominated estuaries along the Natal coast and a conceptual regional depositional model is proposed. Refinement of a globally applicable model will require further comparative studies of river dominated estuaries in this and other settings, but it is proposed that river dominated estuaries represent a distinct type of estuarine morphology.     

Assessment of flood inundation mapping of Surat city by coupled 1D/2D hydrodynamic modeling: a case application of the new HEC-RAS 5

Surat city of India, situated 100 km downstream of Ukai Dam and 19.4 km upstream from the mouth of River Tapi, has experienced the largest flood in 2006. The peak discharge of about 25,770 m³ s^?1 released from the Ukai Dam was responsible for a disaster. To assess the flood and find inundation in low-lying areas, simulation work is carried out under the 1D/2D couple hydrodynamic modeling. Two hundred ninety-nine cross sections, two hydraulic structures and five major bridges across the river are considered for 1D modeling, whereas a topographic map at 0.5 m contour interval was used to produce a 5 m grid, and SRTM (30 and 90 m) grid has been considered for Surat and the Lower Tapi Basin. The tidal level at the river mouth and the release from the Ukai Dam during 2006 flood are considered as the downstream and upstream boundaries, respectively. The model is simulated under the unsteady flow condition and validated for the year 2006. The simulated result shows that 9th August was the worst day in terms of flooding for Surat city and a maximum 75–77% area was under inundation. Out of seven zones, the west zone had the deepest flood and inundated under 4–5 m. Furthermore, inundation is simulated under the bank protection work (i.e., levees, retaining wall) constructed after the 2006 flood. The simulated results show that the major zones are safe against the inundation under 14,430 m³ s^?1 water releases from Ukai Dam except for the west zone. The study shows the 2D capability of new HEC-RAS 5 for flood inundation mapping and management studies.     

Mercury distribution and transport in a contaminated river system in Kazakhstan and associated impacts on aquatic biota

The River Nura in Central Kazakhstan has been heavily polluted by Hg originating from an acetaldehyde plant. A number of studies were undertaken to investigate the transport, fate and bioavailability of Hg in this river system. The sediments within a 20 km section of the river downstream of the effluent outfall canal are highly polluted and are acting as a strong source of surface water contamination. Mercury transport in the river is dominated by the remobilization of contaminated bed sediments and river bank erosion during the annual spring flood. Peak Hg concentrations in unfiltered surface water samples during a larger than usual flood event in 2004 were in the order of 1600–4300 ng L⁻¹. The majority of the particulate-bound Hg appears to be sedimented in the shallow Intumak reservoir 75 km downstream of the source of the pollution, leading to a drop in aqueous Hg concentrations by an order of magnitude. Nevertheless, background concentrations of Hg in surface water are not reached until at least 200 km downstream, and during the flood period Hg is also detected in the terminal wetlands of the river.Mercury concentrations in sediment cores taken from the river bed in the most contaminated section of the Nura ranged from 9.95 to 306 mg kg⁻¹. Methylmercury (MeHg) levels in shallow sediment cores were highest in surface sediments and ranged between 4.9 and 39 μg kg⁻¹, but were generally less than 0.1% of total Hg (THg). A significant inverse relationship was found between THg concentrations and the percentage of MeHg formed in the sediments, irrespective of the sampling depth. The observed relationship was confirmed by comparison with results from a different river system, indicating that it may be true also for other highly contaminated aquatic systems. It is hypothesized that at high THg levels in severely contaminated sediments, the accumulation of MeHg may be limited by increasingly efficient demethylation processes, and that this underlying trend in sediments is the reason why MeHg levels in surface water are often found to be higher at less contaminated sites compared to upstream sites.Mercury concentrations in biota in the most contaminated section of the river were 15–20 times higher than background levels. Fish were found to be impacted for more than 125 km downstream from the source, indicating significant transport of dissolved MeHg to downstream areas and/or in-situ MeHg production in less contaminated downstream reaches. There were also indications that impoundments may increase the bioavailability of Hg.     

Influence of flooding on groundwater flow in central Cambodia

Cambodia is affected by flooding from the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers every year, which harms human populations and damages property, as well as alters the water quality in aquifer systems. The objective of this paper is to highlight the effects of river flooding on groundwater flow using numerical simulation. A two-dimensional groundwater flow model coupled with a groundwater recharge model was applied to the research area in central Cambodia. River level variation was included in model processes, and flood areas and periods were assigned. The results showed that during flooding periods, floodwater from the three rivers played an important role in recharging groundwater. During the dry season, Tonle Sap River received groundwater supply from the northwest, and levels in the Bassac and Mekong River dropped to lower than the groundwater level. This study improves understanding of the surface water and groundwater flow system in the study area.     

Multi-tracer investigation of river and groundwater interactions: a case study in Nalenggele River basin,northwest China

Environmental tracers (such as major ions, stable and radiogenic isotopes, and heat) monitored in natural waters provide valuable information for understanding the processes of river–groundwater interactions in arid areas. An integrated framework is presented for interpreting multi-tracer data (major ions, stable isotopes (²H, ¹⁸O), the radioactive isotope ²²²Rn, and heat) for delineating the river–groundwater interactions in Nalenggele River basin, northwest China. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken to estimate the bidirectional water exchange associated with small-scale interactions between groundwater and surface water. Along the river stretch, groundwater and river water exchange readily. From the high mountain zone to the alluvial fan, groundwater discharge to the river is detected by tracer methods and end-member mixing models, but the river has also been identified as a losing river using discharge measurements, i.e. discharge is bidirectional. On the delta-front of the alluvial fan and in the alluvial plain, in the downstream area, the characteristics of total dissolved solids values, ²²²Rn concentrations and δ¹⁸O values in the surface water, and patterns derived from a heat-tracing method, indicate that groundwater discharges into the river. With the environmental tracers, the processes of river–groundwater interaction have been identified in detail for better understanding of overall hydrogeological processes and of the impacts on water allocation policies.     

An ephemeral turbidity maximum generated by resuspension of organic-rich matter in a macrotidal estuary, S.W. Wales

An ephemeral estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) occurs at high water in the macrotidal Taf estuary (SW Wales, United Kingdom). A new mechanism of ETM formation, due to resuspension and advection of material by flood tidal currents, is observed that differs from classical mechanisms of gravitational circulation and tidal pumping. The flood tide advances across intertidal sand flats in the main body of the estuary, progressively entraining material from the rippled sands. Resuspension creates, a turbid front that has suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) of about 4,000 mg I⁻¹ by the time it reaches its landward limit which is also the landward limit of salt penetration. This turbid body constitutes the ETM. Deposition occurs at high slack water but the ETM retains SSC values up to 800 mg I⁻¹, 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than ambient SSC values in the river and estuarine waters on either side. The ETM retreats down the estuary during the ebb; some material is deposited thinly across emergent intertidal flats and some is flushed out of the estuary. A new ETM is generated by the next flood tide. Both location and SSC of the ETM scale on Q/R³ where Q is tidal range and R is river discharge. The greatest expression of the ETM occurs when a spring tide coincides with low river discharge. It does not form during high river discharge conditions and is poorly developed on neap tides. Particles in the ETM have effective densities (120–160 kg m⁻³) that are 3–4 times less than those in the main part of the estuary at high water. High chlorophyll concentrations in the ETM suggest that flocs probably originate from biological production in the estuary, including production on the intertidal sand flats.     

Modeling flood dynamics in a temporary river draining to an eutrophic reservoir in southeast Portugal

Enxoé is a small temporary river with a flushy regime, which flash floods carry significant loads to the reservoir. As a result, the reservoir, which supplies 25,000 inhabitants, exhibits a high trophic state and cyanobacteria blooms since its construction in 1998, with water abstractions requiring extensive treatment. This study aimed to understand the contribution of flash floods to the Enxoé’s reservoir high trophic state using a modeling approach. This was the first time the river was monitored and that a modeling study was carried out. The MOHID-Land model was implemented to assess the water path in the catchment, and was integrated with field data to compute river loads. Results confirmed the importance of flash events. During flash floods, water properties were determined by soil surface and river bottom wash out, and depended mostly on the flush sequence and intensity. Model simulations showed that soil surface permeability reduction was an important factor regulating surface runoff while soil moisture was low. The first flood after the dry period contributed to 2% of the yearly discharge, 3% of yearly N load, and 7% of the yearly P loads. Winter floods contribution differed, producing 10% of both yearly discharge and loads. However, concentration of particulate matter and organic compounds in the first flood were one order of magnitude higher than in winter floods. This was due to river bottom resuspension and erosion of riparian areas, representative dynamics of a flushy regime. During subsequent winter floods, nutrient concentrations tended to remain constant as the watershed surface and respective soils were washed. Further work should link a watershed model to a reservoir model to depict the flood impact in the reservoir, and test management strategies to reduce the reservoir trophic state.     

Progradation and retrogradation of the Medjerda delta during the 20th century (Tunisia,western Mediterranean)

The aim of this study is the reconstitution of the recent morpho-sedimentary evolution of the Medjerda River delta. We examine the spatio-temporal evolution of the Medjerda shoreline between 1936 and 2016 using satellite images, complemented by sedimentological and geochemical analyses and ²¹⁰Pbex and ¹³⁷Cs radiometric data. The general tendency of the shoreline evolution shows an increasing progradation (300 ± 12 m) between 1936 and 2016. Yet the mesoscale Net Shoreline Movement position (NSM) and the End Point Rate (EPR) reveal an erosion pattern estimated to be −20 m ± 0.15 m/yr during the period 1988–1999.The sedimentological analyses reveal four main lithostratigraphic units. The fine sand substratum layer (Md = 0.08 mm) decreases toward clay and silt facies (Md < 0.063 mm), rich in continental plant debris. The geochemical results reveal gradual incoming of the terrigenous component instead of marine deposits. The ¹³⁷Cs/²¹⁰Pbex radiometric dating confirms the functioning of the new river flow by the 1950s with the highest sedimentation rate being 3.3 cm/yr. Our results show that the Sidi-Salem dam impoundment (1981) led to a dramatic reduction of sediment discharge, a decrease of the grain size with nearly no more sand reaching the coast, and the shoreline retreat.     

Changing late Holocene flooding frequencies on the Columbia River, Washington

Data from prehistoric fluvial deposits can be used to extend the flood history of a river valley beyond historical records, thus increasing our understanding of variability in large, low-frequency flood events and providing a valuable means for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. We have applied this form of analysis to fluvial deposits from an archaeological site on the upper Columbia River in the state of Washington dating from 120 A.D.^* to 1948 A.D. It was our expectation that, had flood frequencies remained constant, sedimentation event frequency would conform to an exponential function derived from the Wolman and Leopold model of vertical floodplain accretion. Our findings deviate from this model, showing that flood frequencies comparable to those of the twentieth century existed prior to 1020 A.D.^* and after 1390 A.D.^* Large floods were three to four times more common during the intervening centuries. On the basis of field evidence, we can rule out changing channel geometry, leaving climatic conditions as the most probable factors controlling this variation in flood frequency.     

A transdisciplinary analysis of water problems in the mountainous karst areas of Morocco

Water management and engineering in the karstic High Atlas of Morocco are difficult tasks under the prevailing geological, hydrogeological, geomorphological, vegetational and climatic conditions. It is important to be able to understand and predict the characteristics and availability of water for future water planning in the region under changing climatic and agricultural conditions. An interdisciplinary analysis of problems and adequate hydrological modelling tools developed by geologists, hydrologists and biologists are necessary. The karst areas of the High Atlas Mountains are characterised by impermeable triassic basalt underlying substantial subsurface reservoirs with high potential discharge rates. The karst groundwater aquifers are extensive but largely unknown in dimension, probably with a hierarchical network of groundwater flow paths. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the surface water is directly lost to groundwater. Steep landslide- and debris flow prone slopes exist next to coarse-grained, highly porous river beds. Infrequent, high intensity rainfall or snowmelt causes a particularly high flood risk to these karst areas. In addition, agriculture and land use changes have degraded the karst areas. The most important driving forces for degradation include permanent overgrazing even during droughts and the use of firewood by a continually growing population. Large scale degradation of vegetation has occurred in the oro-mediterranean (mountainous Mediterranean) zone, between 2600 and 3400 m which coincides with the most important zone for karstic groundwater creation. The combination of high amounts of groundwater flow and rapid surface flow due to sparse vegetation has increased the problems of flood flow.