Hydrological forecasting of the river Po in Piedmont

We developed a hydrological forecasting system in order to facilitate better management of the water of the river Po at its confluence with the river Ticino in Piedmont. The result: civil protection, complete integration with the regional monitoring network and real-time forecasting of hydrological flood events.
The entire course of the river Po in Piedmont has heterogeneous characteristics. The presence of both rivers (Po and Ticino) at their confluence are characterised by short concentration times and fluvial dynamics. The hydrological response is influenced by:

• rain events
• snow melt processes
• reservoir and lake operational rules
• exchanges with groundwater
• the presence of other water intakes

The result: extreme hydrological events in the river basin.

We developed a real-time hydrological forecasting modelling system in order to enable improved and more efficient management of the river water at the confluence. It has been implemented in the entire basin until its confluence with the Ticino River.

Currently, the system is installed at the Civil Protection Center of the Piedmont Region (ARPA Piedmont) and is automatically operated to provide accurate forecasts of water levels and discharge in all river sections. It has been operational since 2000. It operates every day to support the technicians of the Regional Civil Protection Center in forecasting water levels and discharges in all the networks. It is also able to support the management of predicted water scarcity conditions.