Surface runoff in a torrent catchment area in Middle Europe and its prevention

The Schesa, a sinister contributory torrent to the Ill river near Bludenz (federal province of Vorarlberg) is the largest basin-shaped gully of Middle Europe and endangers the underlying villages by torrential debris flow and gigantic mass movements. The catchment is characterized by a complex geological situation, high annual precipitation and torrential rains from spring to early autumn, which cause enormous amounts of surface runoff. Based on field investigations comprising rain simulation experiments on representative plots, investigations on land-use, vegetation cover, soil physical characteristics, geology, hydrogeology and other features of the catchment area, surface runoff coefficient maps were developed. They formed the basis for assessment of runoff potential for different scenarios in vegetation cover and land-use intensity. Calculation of runoff for the recurrent design event by use of an improved run-time method showed the urgent necessity of runoff reduction measures in large parts of the catchment area above the gully. Based on the modelling results a concept for reduction of both, surface runoff and amount of deep percolating water has been elaborated.