Real-time decision support system offers valuable insights for efficient operation of MOSE flood barriers

Situated on the extremity of a closed-off part of the Adriatic Sea, Venice is frequently subjected to the encumbrance of fluctuations in water levels – where high water periodically floods the piazzas, and low water obstructs navigation due to shallower canals. Add tourism into the mix, and it’s no wonder the Italian city has been hit by waves of challenges when it comes to managing its water levels.

For more than 20 years, DHI has worked with Venice to manage high water levels in the city. In the 1990s, the Italian government initiated the MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, Experimental Electromechanical Module) project to protect the city from flooding. The project involved the complex construction of 78 gates submerged in the sea – each as tall as a five-story building – that can be raised to separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during high sea levels. To support the operations at the MOSE gates, a decision-support system was set up based on MIKE Powered by DHI technology: MIKE OPERATIONS.

Challenge

The protection of Venice from high water levels is a top priority, which led the Italian Government to initiate the MOSE project to protect the city from flooding. The ambitious project involves a complex system of 78 submerged gates which can be raised to separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during high-water events. These events are defined as water levels exceeding 110 cm in Venice and 130 cm in Chioggia, both referenced to the local datum. Ensuring accurate sea-level forecasting is essential for the effective operation of the gates, protecting Venice from flooding and preserving its historic integrity.

Solution

To support the operations at the MOSE gates, a complex decision-support system has been set up by 'Provveditorato Interregionale per le Opere Pubbliche' through 'Consorzio Venezia Nuova', based on MIKE Powered by DHI’s MIKE OPERATIONS. The system is mainly composed of:

• specific procedures for multiple data collection, processing and storing
• a wide range of numerical models based on MIKE Powered by DHI technology incorporating machine learning
• a dedicated decision support system based on complex algorithms capable to forecast high water levels events and continuously update the data, defining the correct timing for closing and opening the gates
• a wide range of tools for data as warning dissemination, including a specific web interface
• an expert graphical user interface for the configuration of an advance management of the system

Results

As a result of the MOSE system, which took 30 years to plan and 20 years to build, the city benefits from a unique solution where the barriers are concealed in the sea, allowing ships to navigate freely and the lagoon to function normally on most days. The implementation of DHI's solution has proven to be an effective measure in safeguarding Venice from high water levels, ensuring:

• Accurate forecasts of high water levels events
• Decision support for operating the MOSE gates
• Automatic dissemination of information and warnings