Multicriterial analysis used for the optimisation of dike system management

Abstract

Levees are the most frequently used flood protection measure worldwide. In central Europe, they have been built systematically since the beginning of the 19th century. After the extreme regional floods in 1997, 2002 and 2013, the need arose for a more systematic and optimised approach to levee design and management, including the decommissioning of ineffective dike reaches. In this paper, a multicriterial algorithm is presented for the optimisation of levee management. The aspects considered are flood risk, economy, technical conditions, environmental issues and the consistency with general documents and principles in water management. The method is demonstrated via a case study of a levee subsystem in the upper Morava River basin.Levees are the most frequently used flood protection measure worldwide. In central Europe, they have been built systematically since the beginning of the 19th century. After the extreme regional floods in 1997, 2002 and 2013, the need arose for a more systematic and optimised approach to levee design and management, including the decommissioning of ineffective dike reaches. In this paper, a multicriterial algorithm is presented for the optimisation of levee management. The aspects considered are flood risk, economy, technical conditions, environmental issues and the consistency with general documents and principles in water management. The method is demonstrated via a case study of a levee subsystem in the upper Morava River basin.