WEB-BASED FLOOD INFORMATION SYSTEM: CASE STUDY OF SOMES MARE, ROMANIA

Adrian Almoradie1 , Andre!a "ono#$i1, Florin S%oi&a', Dimi%ri Soloma%ine1, Ioana (o)e#&*1

Department of Integrated Water Systems and Governance, UNESCO-IHE Instit te for Water Ed cation, !"O" #o$ %&1', ()&1 D* De+ft, ,-e Net-er+ands 2 .omanian Nationa+ Water * t-ority, Somes-,isa #ranc-, C+ /, .omania

A+#%ra&% This paper presents research into conceptualisation, design and implementation of an innovative web-based virtual environment for flood information sharing and dissemination. A system intended to be used by flood management authorities and potentially-affected citizens is demonstrated. Latest technological advances for collection, archiving and sharing of environmental data using web-based Spatial ata !nfrastructure "S !# are used for system implementation. $lood-related data and

models are embedded in the system. The system was developed for the Some %are catchment in &omania and it is aimed to serve as a portal for awareness raising through flood information sharing and dissemination that would increase local capacity of the communities for dealing with floods. This will enable the citizens and sta'eholders to understand the areas e(posed to flood ris' and to e)uip them with the necessary 'nowledge on flood ris' assessment and management. The platform is capable to assimilate instant feedbac' and relevant information from citizens and sta'eholders. !n future, the system is envisaged to include components for flood forecasting and warning. This system was developed within the enviro*&! S +, $-. research pro/ect.

0ey1ords2 flood information dissemination, sta'eholder participation, spatial data infrastructure, Somes %are, web-based application 1, In%rod*&%ion

10

Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed1 +-mail address1 a.almoradie2unesco-ihe.org3 tel1 456 67 2676.673 fa(1 456 67 2622826

9istorically flood-related disasters have been one of the ma/or causes of loss of lives, property and loss of livelihoods. !t is e(pected that the hazards induced by flood related disasters will increase in relation to rapid urbanisation, development, increase of population and climate change. &educing the adverse conse)uences of floods is commonly carried out within flood ris' management "$&%# framewor's aimed at long term planning and design, or flood event management. $lood information dissemination is considered as one of the important components for $&%. The effort of disseminating flood ris' information raises citizens: awareness, which will in turn increase local capacity of the communities to deal with floods. $urthermore, this will enable the citizens and sta'eholders to understand the areas e(posed to flood ris' and to e)uip them with the necessary 'nowledge on flood ris' assessment and management. ecision ma'ers and e(perts also recognised the importance of involving the sta'eholders and citizens in $&%. Since sta'eholders and citizens have diverse values and 'nowledge of their local environment empowering them to participate will lead to a sustainable $&% decisions and measures "Abbott and ;onos'i, 2<<63 A-$%, 2<<=3 &eed, 2<<>#. %oreover, proper integration of local information and scientific 'nowledge may significantly improve $&%. Such integrated information becomes more relevant for affected citizens and can be disseminated using web or mobile phone applications ;onos'i et al., 2<62#. $lood information dissemination and sta'eholder?citizens participation in $&% is in line with the $lood irective "$ # and the @ater $ramewor' irective "@$ # established by the +uropean "see, for an e(ample on water )uality information dissemination

Aommision. The @$ , which was established in 2<<< aims at sustainable management of all coastal waters, inland surface waters and groundwater in the +uropean ,nion and its member states "+A irective, 2<<<#. The $lood irective encourages the +uropean ,nion and itBs member states

to have $&% plans that incorporate public information and consultation "+A irective, 2<<.#. $ollowing these legislative re)uirements and recommendations flood management authorities face new challenges on raising citizens: awareness by involving them in $&%. !n addition to the

challenges related to effective and efficient modes of involvement, the tas' becomes comple( because of the amount of flood related information that needs to be managed "collecting, archiving and sharing# for this purpose. @ith the advancement of computer and information and communications technology "!AT# the @orld @ide @eb has revolutionized the way our society communicates and accesses information. !t is foreseen that with such advancement in !AT a web-based environment will provide innovative solutions to address the challenges in flood information sharing, dissemination and participation. ecision ma'ers and e(perts have long envisioned the use of web-based environment for remote access to a decision support system " SS# "e.g Chargava and Drishna, 688>#. !n the field of environmental management, several web-based systems were developed for the management of watershed "e.g Ahoi et al., 2<<7#, groundwater "e.g Dhelifi et al., 2<<=3 ;onos'i, 2<<2# and surface water )uality "e.g ;onos'i et al., 2<62#. There are also a number of web-based system that have been developed for flood ris' management, however most of these systems fall short in addressing the users: "citizens# needs?re)uirements and applications usability. The present paper introduces an innovative web-based system for flood information sharing and dissemination. This $lood !nformation System "$!S#was developed for the Somes %are catchment in &omania and it is intended to be used by flood management authorities and potentially-affected citizens. The system implements the latest technological advances for collection, archiving and sharing of environmental data, using web-based Spatial !nfrastructure "S !#. This system was developed within the +, $-. research pro/ect, enviro*&! S. The main ob/ective of this research pro/ect "involving 5< partners from 67 countries# is capacity development for environmental research aimed at policy development, as well as practical applications in the countries of the Clac' Sea Aatchment. The article is organised as follows1 Section 2 presents the Somes %are case study description. The solution approach introduced in section 5 presents the modeling approach, $!S conceptual framewor' and design, and technologies for development. Section E presents the Somes %are $!S ata

demonstrator. The final section discusses the advantages of using this approach, development e(periences and future development.

', Ca#e #%*d- de#&ri)%ion

The Somes %are catchment "fig. 6# is located in the northern part of &omania, and it is part of the Somes catchment. Somes river is formed through the confluence of Somes %are "Cig Somes# and Somes %ic "Small Somes# in e/ city. ownstream of e/, the river has a cascade of dams,

small dams and weirs that protects the area from flooding. 9owever, on the Somes %are river there are no structures that will mitigate floods and they are occurring more often. !n the upstream part of the catchment it has two rivers that /oin in a confluence in the town of e/. These two rivers are the Somes %are "Cig Somes# and Somes %ic "Small Somes#. The Somes river flows downstream from e/ to a confluence that /oins with river Tisza "fig. 6#.

Bistrita reservoir Dej

Fi., 1. Somes %are catchment The case study is focused on the Somes %are because of its large potential to flooding. The Somes %are catchment has a total area of 7<.> 'm2 and the river length is appro(. 65= 'm. !t has a comple( terrain having an elevation that ranges from E<< m to 22>< m. The annual average discharge of Somes &iver in e/ is .E.6 m 5?s, to which Somes %are

contributes with appro(. =EF. The 6?6<< years return period flood analysis on Somes %are and

Somes %ic shows that the floods on the Somes %are are much more important. A 6<< years flood that occurred in the 68.< was the most significant flood in the e/ area. The flood pea' in the

Somes %are was about 2<<< m5?s. Snowmelt highly influences the discharge in the Somes %are and the combination of snowmelt and rainfall causes the most devastating floods. Somes %are has one small reservoir on the upstream Cistrita tributary, which has very small influence on mitigating floods "see fig. 6#. Gn the other hand, Somes %ic e(perienced no ma/or floods after the construction of Tarnita "68.E# and $antanele "68.># reservoirs. Lately, Somes %are e(perienced many occurrences of flash floods. $looding in the year 2<<8 was one of the most devastating. The situation in the Somes %are catchment demonstrates the need for further studies in order to build and implement better flood ris' management strategies.

/, Sol*%ion a))roa&0

!n order to address the challenges in flood information dissemination and participation an innovative web-based flood information system "$!S# has been developed for Somes %are following the approach presented in this section. The following sub-sections presents the hydrological model as a supporting tool, the $!S conceptual framewor', system design and the technologies used for its development.

%"1 3ode+ing approac$lood models are most often used as a supporting tool for $&%. !n this case study a 9+A-9%S rainfall-runoff model was set-up as a supporting tool for the $!S. 9+A-9%S is a hydrological modelling systems developed by the ,S Army Aorps of +ngineers. The Somes %are catchment was divided in 2E sub-basins. A discharge varying in time was introduced as an input coming from the reservoir at Cistrita "see fig. 6#. The model made use of the 2= rainfall stations, 25 temperature stations and 68 discharge stations in the catchment3 5 of the discharge stations are along the main river. *age weights provided by e(pert hydrologists from the

Somes Tisza @ater Cranch of &omanian @aters "the flood management authority# were used to distribute precipitation over the sub-basins. %onthly evaporation was used in the model. Simple canopy, simple surface, Soil %oisture Accounting "S%A# loss method, SAS unit hydrograph for the transform method and linear reservoir for the base flow method were used for all sub-basin. The lag routing method was used for routing along the river reaches. Since snowmelt highly influences the discharge on Somes %are, the Temperature !nde( snowmelt method was introduced in the model. $igure 2 shows the schematisation of the Somes %are basin model.

Fi., ', Somes %are basin model schematisation

The calibrated Somes mare 9+A-9%S model is intended to be used in future flood management activities including flood forecasting and warning. !ts current results in terms of reproducing historical discharges in Somes %are are included in the $!S.

%"( We4-4ased 5IS concept a+ frame1or6 and design Aonsidering the users: needs and re)uirements the $!S was conceptualised to be simple yet informative. The web-based $!S conceptual framewor' "shown in fig. 5# has three main components1 "6# $&% awareness, "2# Access to flood information and "5# Aitizens participation.

F'S components
FRM awareness
Study area Flood problems Flood directives Current flood management sta e!olders Recorded !istorical flooding "bserved data Model results #time series and flood maps$ Flood t!res!olds %ccess and download data Discuss flood related issues S!are information &imely report of local flooding

Flood information

Participation

Fi., /, @eb-based $!S conceptual framewor'

%ost li'ely the citizens and sta'eholders have little 'nowledge on the catchments: $&%. The :$&% awareness: component is introduced to e)uip them with the necessary bac'ground 'nowledge on $&% legislation, current practices and ma/or sta'eholders. This component also provides information on the ob/ective of the $!S platform, the characteristics of the study area and general information on flooding problems in the catchment. The :flood information: component is intended to raise the citizens: and sta'eholders awareness on local flooding. 9istorical floods, observed data and model results "time series and flood maps# are presented. $urthermore, with the use of discharge thresholds it will provide information if an event is high enough to cause flooding. Since citizens: and sta'eholders have a better understanding and 'nowledge about their local environment their contribution will enhance flood ris' management. The citizens: participation component provides the citizens and sta'eholders with opportunities to discuss flood related issues, share information and timely report on local flooding. Cased on this framewor' the web-based $!S was designed to be simple, informative, interactive, customizable and a fle(ible application. %ap based applications were e(tensively used for publishing geospatial data and accessing information. $urthermore, web infrastructure services and data standards were used. $igure E presents the generic conceptual technical design.

Fi., 1, @eb-based $!S generic conceptual design

%"% ,ec-no+ogies The web-based $!S made use of *eneral -ublic License "*-L# and latest web development technologies. The standard technologies used for web development are the 9T%L, ASS, ;avascript and A/a( for the client side, and, for the server side the Apache and Tomcat server, -9- scripts, %ySHL and -ost*!S--ostgreSHL & C%S were used. -re-built *-L web applications were also used for map-based and graphical visualisation. Such pre-built *-L web applications are the Gpenlayer "p 4+is- and manip +ate geospatia+ data#, Cing %aps by %icrosoft and GpenStreet %aps "4ase maps# and *oogle Iisualisation "time series vis a+isation#. Since current trends in archiving, sharing, accessing and managing spatial data are geared towards the use of Spatial ata !nfrastructure "S !#, the web-based $!S for the Somes %are case

study implements: the latest S ! technology "*eoServer and *eoJetwor'#. S !:s are designed for interoperability, allowing publishing of data from any spatial data source using open standards. &ecently, the Gpen *eospatial Aonsortium "G*A# accepted the @ater%L 2.< schema as an

encoding standard for publishing time series of hydrological observation data. The $!S implements the @ater%L 2.< application schema using the *eoServer web services. This was achieved following the framewor' and methods that were developed by the Aommonwealth Scientific and !ndustrial &esearch Grganisation "AS!&G# 2 from Australia. $igure 7 presents the wor'flow of the use of web-based technologies.

FIS Applications (oogle 2isual "penlayers

#Spatial data) basin/ D-M/ flood map/ monitoring stations011 #&ime series data$ precipitation/ disc!arge/ temperature/ model results

-.plore metadata

Download
&ime series data

SDI (eoServer (eo)etwor (eoServer* +aterM,

Fi., 2, @or'flow of the use of web-based technologies 1, Some# Mare FIS demon#%ra%or

!n this section we present a summary of the results from the $!S demonstrator application. $ull access to the platform is provided in the following web lin'1 http1??hi'm.ihe.nl?envirogrids?platform?somes?

The Somes %are $!S platform was named Somes %are flood portal for citizens. $ollowing the framewor' and conceptual design, the Somes %are $!S was structured into four main sections as follows1 "6# !ntroduction, "2# Somes %are flood management, "5# $lood information system and "E# ata access. The Introd ction e(plains the ob/ective and the use of this platform. The section Somes 3are f+ood management "shown in fig. =# provides information of the study area, its: flooding problems, flood directives, current $&% plan and the ma/or sta'eholders. This section made use of an
2

https1??www.seegrid.csiro.au?wi'i?AS& A? eployCo%Gbservational ataAsS$6

interactive map to present information on the study area and its: monitoring system.

Fi., 3, Somes %are flood management section

The section 5+ood information system has two main elements. These elements are the flood information e(plorer and citizens?sta'eholder feedbac' "shown in fig. .#.

Fi., 4, Access to flood information e(plorer and feedbac'

The flood information e(plorer "shown in fig. ># is intended to raises citizens: awareness about floods in different sections of the river. 9istorical floods with their description, cause and impacts are presented to guide citizens in e(ploring the historical data. ,sing an interactive map and chart interface, users can access monitoring station:s time series of observed discharge, precipitation and temperature. @ith an aide of discharge thresholds, this provides users: visualisation if an event is high enough to cause flooding. $lood models are most often used as a supporting tool for long term $&% or for flood forecasting. To demonstrate the importance of models: for $&% model results of

discharge time series "provided by the Somes %are 9+A-9%S model# and flood maps of 6?2< and 6?6<< years return are presented. The flood maps were generated separately and provided by &omanian @ater Authority. This information will enable citizens and sta'eholders to 'now the areas e(posed to flood ris' under these scenarios.

Fi., 5, $lood information e(plorer The element Aitizens?sta'eholders feedbac' "fig. 8# enables citizens and sta'eholders to share information, or provide timely reports on local flooding. @ith the use of a forum they can discuss flood related issues with their community or even e(perts.

Fi., 6, Aitizens?sta'eholders feedbac'

The last section named Data *ccess provides access to hydro-meteorological "fig. 6<a# and spatial data "fig. 6<b#. 9ydro-meteorological data is provided in @ater%L 2.< format. Access to spatial data is provided via the @eb %apping Service "@%S# stadard. Spatial data can also be downloaded in Deyhole %ar'-up Language "D%L# or *eography %ar'up Language "*%L# format. These data were made available for use by e(perts, flood management authorities, or citizens: and sta'eholders who have 'nowledge in using them.

10a

10b

Fi., 17, ata access section

2, Con&l*#ion#

The Somes %are $!S is still to be thoroughly tested with selected citizens and sta'eholders. !n its current development it has been tested for its functionalities in full collaboration with the local flood management authority - the Somes Tisza @ater Cranch of &omanian @aters. Cefore actual tests with selected citizens and sta'eholders the whole $!S will be translated in &omanian language, which is an ongoing activity. !t is e(pected that it will become a valuable system for awareness raising and citizens empowerment in $&% in the Somes %are area. The overall advantages of using such system are in reduced costs and increased efficiency of participatory

$&%, while facilitating the sharing of common interests and ob/ectives among citizens and different sta'eholders. The Somes %are $!S also demonstrated that it is possible to develop such system by using open standards and *-L technologies. The ne(t development stage for the Somes %are $!S is to incorporate smart phone applications that will enable citizens: to send instant feedbac' with photos on flooding. !n the future it is envisaged that the $!S will also incorporate a flood forecasting component.

A$no8led.emen%# This was developed within a research pro/ect entitled enviro*&! S at the Clac' Sea Aatchment, funded by the .th $ramewor' -rogramme of the +uropean ,nion "+,#. The &omanian @ater Authority, Somes-Tisa @ater Cranch provided all the data.

Re9eren&e# Abbott, %.C., ;onos'i, A., "2<<6#, The democratisation of decision-ma'ing process in the water sector !!, 7o rna+ of Hydroinformatics, /:1;, 57-E.. A-$%, "2<<=#, Socia+ *spects and Sta6e-o+der Invo+vement in Integrated 5+ood 3anagement , !n1 $lood %anagement -olicy Series, Jo. E, @orld %eteorological Grganization, *eneva, Switzerland. Chargava, 9.D., Drishnan, &., "688>#, The @orld @ide @eb1 Gpportunities for Gperations &esearch and %anagement Science, IN5O.3S 7o rna+ on Comp ting, 17:1;, 578-5>5. Ahoi ;., +ngel, C., $arnsworth, L., "2<<7#, @eb-based *!S and spatial decision support systems for watershed management, 7o rna+ of Hydroinformatics, 4:/;, 6=7-6.E. +A irective, "2<<<#, !&+AT!I+ 2<<<?=<?+A of the +uropean -arliament and of the Aouncil of 25 Gctober 2<<<, on the establishing a framewor' for Aommunity action in the field of water policy, Gfficial ;ournal of the +uropean Aommunities, L 52.?6, 22.62.2<<<, Crussels, Gn line at1 http1??eur-le(.europa.eu?Le(,riServ?Le(,riServ.doKuriLG;1L12<<<152.1<<<61<<.21+J1- $

+A irective, "2<<.#, !&+AT!I+ 2<<.?=<?+A of the +uropean -arliament and of the Aouncil of 25 Gctober 2<<., on the assessment and management of flood ris's, Gfficial ;ournal of the +uropean ,nion, L 2>>?2., =.66.2<<., Crussels, Gn line at1 http1??eurle(.europa.eu?Le(,riServ?Le(,riServ.doKuriLG;1L12<<.12>>1<<2.1<<5E1+J1- $ ;onos'i A., "2<<2#, Hydroinformatics as Sociotec-no+ogy2 !romoting Individ a+ Sta6e-o+der !articipation 4y Using Net1or6 Distri4 ted Decision S pport Systems, -h !9+ !nstitute for @ater +ducation, elft, the Jetherlands. ;onos'i, A., Almoradie, A., Dhan, '., -opescu !., van Andel, S.;., "2<62#, *oogle Android mobile phone applications for water )uality information management, 7o rna+ of Hydroinformatics, 8in pressM. Dhelifi, G., Lodolo, A., Iranes, S., Aenti, *., %iertus, S., "2<<=#, A web based decision support tool for groundwater remediation technologies selection, 7o rna+ of Hydroinformatics, 5:';, 86-6<<. &eed, %., "2<<>#, Sta'eholder participation for environmental management1 A literature review, 7o rna+ of #io+ogica+ Conservation, 2E6.-2E56. Thesis, ,J+SAG-