Integrated flood studies in Sicily: a hydro-geomorphological approach

The present study originates from the need to investigate and monitor rivers in order to manage and mitigate fluvial dynamics and prevent flood adverse effects. The aim is to develop an integrated flood risk management procedure that properly incorporates safety and quality issues, in accordance, respectively, with Floods Directive and Water Framework Directive. The developed procedure includes uncertainties related to hydraulic modeling process as well as risks related to river dynamics into flood hazard mapping. Watercourse evolutionary trend was analyzed and river reaches possibly affected by morphological variability were identified through two morphological indices, the Morphological Dynamics Index and the Event’s Dynamics Classification. These latter tools were crucial for the purpose of integrating results from hydraulic analyses and, therefore, for obtaining an overall more robust and reliable flood risk assessment. The developed procedure was applied on a highly controlled river, Arena river, located in West Sicily. Based on results obtained from both hydraulic and geomorphological analysis, interventions addressed to mitigate fluvial dynamics and prevent flood adverse effects were designed.