River Hydraulics during Flood Events: The Balkan Experiences

¹ Institute of Mechanics – BAS, Fluid Mechanics Department, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 4, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
² Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology (EMaTTECH), Dept. of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Drama, 66100, GREECE

^* Corresponding author: milasemail@yahoo.com

Abstract

Nowadays the appearances of water extremes are frequently observed mainly because of anthropogenic and climate change influences. These extremes cause various impacts on the environment. With respect to river systems, floods are such events that are characterized with increasingly untypical high water levels that overflow river beds. In many cases, they cause extremely harmful impacts to human societies, accompanied with serious environmental damages and modifications. This paper focus on the problems connected to flood appearances and some of their possible related impacts on river systems. To better understand these, phenomenon main specifics with regard to its occurrence, behavior and possible consequences are summarized. Most commonly used methods for flood assessments are presented. Some real case floods and their impacts on the river hydraulics from the Balkans are briefly presented. To better explain floods and the reason-outcome-mitigation nexus related recent required and adopted EC, Bulgarian and Greece policies and practices in the area are outlined concisely with regard to prevention measures in the form of early warning systems, river restoration etc. The presented information address the experts in regards to knowledge, practices dissemination and enhancement, and the connection between experts and responsible decision makers that deal with flood mitigation and prevention.