Flood Retention Basins
Sustainable Flood Retention Basins (SFRB) to Control Flooding and Diffuse Pollution
Background
A SFRB is an aesthetically pleasing retention basin predominantly used for flood protection adhering to sustainable drainage and best management practices. An initial classification model was developed on the basis of a database of 141 SFRB (Figs. 1 and 2) using the River Rhine catchment in Baden as a case study. The project was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2006. The SFRB classification methodology is based on an agglomerative cluster analysis, and is intended to be used by engineers and scientists to adequately classify the following different types of SFRB: Hydraulic Flood Retention Basin, Traditional Flood Retention Basin, Sustainable Flood Retention Wetland, Aesthetic Flood Retention Wetland, Integrated Flood Retention Wetland and Natural Flood Retention Wetland.
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| Fig. 1. Map showing the entire study area in the European context and particularly the identified Sustainable Flood Retention Basins. | Fig. 2. Example Sustainable Flood Retention Basin located in The Kaiserstuhl, Baden, Germany. |
After the completion of the German data set in 2006, a second data set was developed covering 374 SFRB in Scotland. However, the initial SFRB classification method has been considerably expanded, making it necessary to revisit the German data set with the purpose to update it, allowing for a direct comparison between both data sets.
Objective
The key objective of this new research project hosted by the Institute for Landscape Management is to recommend a revised rapid conceptual classification model for SFRB used to control runoff in a temperate climate.
Method
A new phase of research is again funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and will lead to a revised conceptual classification model that should be utilized to improve communication by providing definitions for SFRB types. Moreover, the SFRB concept will be supported by a decision support system helping practitioners in the management of different SFRB types. The revised methodology is likely to be applicable not just for Baden and Scotland but also for other countries with both temperate oceanic and temperate continental climates.
Research Team and Funding
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| Fig. 3. Miklas Scholz, Werner Konold and Qinli Yang (from left to right). |
The project will be led by Dr Miklas Scholz who is supported by a research team including Ms. Qinli Yang and Mr. Reiner Dietrich. The project host is Prof. Dr Werner Konold. Figure 3 shows the host with the two visitors from the United Kingdom. Dr Scholz is currently a Senior Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. However, he will take up a Chair in Civil Engineering (Professor grade) at the University of Salford in England after his Humboldt Fellowship, which ends in September 2010. Ms. Qinli Yang is a PhD student in her second year of study on SFRB.
July - September 2010
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Dr. Miklas Scholz
Dr. Miklas Scholz and Ms. Qinli Yang
Prof. Dr. Werner Konold, Reiner Dietrich