WSL > Research units > Mountain Hydrology

Research Units Mountain Hydrology Staff Projects Dossiers Group Hydr. Forecasts Projects Publications Hyv News Group Torrents Group Snow Hydrology Group Mass Movements Alptal (SZ) Walenstadt (SG) Illgraben (VS) Sperbel- Rappengraben Open Master Thesis Downloads

News

New publications:

Andres N, Badoux A, Hegg C. 2013. Unwetterschäden in der Schweiz im Jahre 2012. Rutschungen, Murgänge, Hochwasser und Sturzereignisse. Wasser Energie Luft, 105. Jg., Heft 1: 55-61. [Direct Link]

Fundel F, Joerg-Hess S, Zappa M. 2013. Monthly hydrometeorological ensemble prediction of streamflow droughts and corresponding drought indices. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 395-407, doi:10.5194/hess-17-395-2013. [Direct Link]

Liechti K, Zappa M, Fundel F, Germann U. 2013. Probabilistic evaluation of ensemble discharge nowcasts in two nested Alpine basins prone to flash floods. Hydrological processes. 27: 5-17. doi:/10.1002/hyp.9458

Zappa M, Fundel F, Jaun S. 2013. A “Peak-Flow Box” Approach for Supporting Interpretation and Evaluation of Operational Ensemble Flood Forecasts. Hydrological processes. 27: 117-131. doi:/10.1002/hyp.9521

April 2013:

Christoph Pflugshaupt completed his master thesis in our group. Topic: "Hydrological resources for energy production in Switzerland: A study based on the CH2011 scenarios", Prof. Ch. Schär, ETH Zürich.

February 2013:

Valentin Knechtl started his Master Thesis in our group: Flash Food early warning tool - Use of intensity-duration-frequency curves for flash-food warning in Southern Switzerland and a forecast skill evaluation, Prof. H. Wernli, ETH Zurich.

Matthias Speich started his Master Thesis in our group: Bivariate mapping and hydrological regimes, Prof. J. Seibert, University of Zurich.

December 2012:

Käthi Liechti just completed her doctoral thesis in our group. Topic: "Uncertainty Propagation in Operational Flash Flood Forecasting Systems".

Mischa Schmid completed his master thesis in our group. Topic: "Verification of monthly probabilistic low-flow forecasts in the Swiss Rhine basin".
August 2012:

Julia Franzen completed her master thesis in our group. Topic: "Steuerungsszenarien des Sihlsees im Hinblick auf den Hochwasserschutz Zürichs".

Paul Schattan completed his master thesis in our group. Topic: "Waldveränderung und Wasserhaushalt - Eine Konzeptstudie", Prof. Diekkrüger - UNI Bonn.

[Archive]

Hydrological Forecasts

Dr. Massimiliano Zappa

The research group «Hydrological Forecasts» investigates the spatio-temporal distribution and variability of the available natural water resources in mountainous basins and in larger alpine river systems.

A particular focus will be put on the analysis of extreme situations such as floods [Dossier Floods, in German]and persisting droughts [Dossier Drought]. This is achieved by both analysis of previous events (e.g. the flood of August 2005 in Switzerland) and investigations with simulations and statistical evaluation of long term data series.

The group develops models and operational system for flood warning in gauges and ungauged basins [Teaser]. Thereby we try to improve the quality of hydrological forecasts by assimilation of updated observations (e.g. snow cover maps and runoff volumes).

Furthermore distributed hydrological simulations are adopted for estimating possible hydrological impacts of climate change [Dossier Climate Change, in German].

In addition WSL updates since more than 40 years a database containing a detailed description of the major damages triggered by hydrological hazards. These records could represent an important source of information for the assessment of hydrology related hazards maps.

Projects

Operational flood forecasting for the Sihl and the Ticino rivers
Contact: M. Zappa
IFKIS-HYDRO – Regional Flood Warning for Mountainous Basins
Contact: M. Zappa
IMPRINTS - IMproving Preparedness and RIsk maNagemenT for flash floods and debriS flow events [Movies]
Contact: M. Zappa, K. Liechti
DROUGHT-CH - A NRP61-Project on "Early recognition of critical drought conditions in Switzerland - coping with shortages in soil moisture, groundwater and runoff"
Contact: F. Fundel, S. Jörg-Hess, M. Zappa
PACC-PERU und ANDES+ -Climate Change Adaptation Plan in Peru
Kontakt: M. Zappa, N. Andres
Swiss flood and landslide damage database
Contact: N. Andres
CCHydro: Climate change and water resources
Contact: L. Bernhard, M. Zappa
Climate change and hydropower production
Contact: M. Zappa
Influence of Climate Change on the Water Cycle in Forest Ecosystems - A Plausibility Analysis
Contact: L. Bernhard
"Swiss Study Guide" - Overview on education on natural hazards in Switzerland
Contact: N. Andres

Running Thesis

PHD: Stefanie Hess, Towards Operational Monthly Predictions of Critical Water Resources Anomalies in the Swiss Alps (tentative title), Prof. S. Seneviratne - ETH Zurich.
Master Thesis: Valentin Knechtl, Flash Food early warning tool - Use of intensity-duration-frequency curves for flash-food warning in Southern Switzerland and a forecast skill evaluation, Prof. H. Wernli, ETH Zurich.
Master Thesis: Matthias Speich, Bivariate mapping and hydrological regimes, Prof. J. Seibert, University of Zurich.