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The world's population is rapidly increasing, posing a significant challenge to our current methods of sharing water resources. In addition, we are faced with increasing uncertainty associated with the changing climate, which, combined with our growing population, exposes our communities to new natural hazards and elevated risks. Adopting an integrated water resources management approach can help us adapt to these challenges and ensure a more sustainable future.
 
Achieve informed water management
Planners and decision-makers face the challenging task of implementing integrated water resources management (IWRM) strategies that balance the need to share water with communities against the need to protect precious water resources and the ecosystems that depend on them. The good news is that consensus in adapting our current water-sharing arrangements can be achieved through the effective communication of data-backed insights with key stakeholders as well as efficient operations and planning with proven digital technologies.
 
Bridge the gap between risk and action
DHI enables river basin communities to develop climate resilience by designing and implementing science-based tools that integrate planning and management of floods, droughts, scarcity, quality and ecosystem protection of water environments.
 We provide services and solutions to analyse, forecast and communicate hydro environmental behaviour of water resources systems for the purposes of planning and operating engineered infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Solutions

Transboundary water management

As the demand for water grows, ensuring the responsible management of transboundary waters – those that cross borders and are shared by multiple countries – is more crucial than ever. Using real-time monitoring and reporting decision support systems, we help nations share information on floods and droughts, water availability, diversions and quality to provide the transparency needed for the protection of biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems.

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See how we can help you in river and flood risk management, groundwater management, irrigation, hydropower and geothermal energy.

Nature-based solutions supporting climate resilience in the Shabelle River basin

Exploring how nature-based solutions can provide effective flood and drought mitigation for Somalia 
 
Over the past decades, Somalia has been experiencing increasingly frequent and severe floods. With environmental degradation being considered one of the main contributors to this change, nature-based solutions (NbS) have a high potential for mitigating flood risk in the area. Using hydrologic and hydraulic mathematical modelling to analyse options such as reforestation or sand dams, UNEP-DHI Centre on Water and Environment assessed this potential within the Shabelle River basin and found that a variety of NbS are applicable in Somalia. These findings will support the National Flood and Drought Task Force of Somalia in planning future flood and drought interventions in the basin. 
 
Challenge
Many ephemeral rivers, or ‘wadis’, in Somalia are prone to flash floods. Flooding occurs when heavy rains lead to a sudden increase in river flow, followed by a quick recession, and can cause loss of lives and property in downstream settlements. The severity and frequency of flooding from the Shabelle Rivers has been increasing in the past few decades, and it is thought that increased sediment deposition in rivers (brought about by activities such as deforestation which degrade soil structure), and subsequent raising of the riverbed, is the major contributor to this change. NbS, aimed at restoring degraded riverine ecosystems, have the potential to mitigate flooding in the area. With some of these solutions simultaneously enhancing groundwater recharge, their implementation could serve the dual purpose of flood and drought management, increasing community resilience to climate extremes. 
 
Solution
In the implementation of the project, UNEP undertook research into the potential of nature-based solutions for mitigating flood and drought hazards. The UNEP-DHI Centre team provided the technical inputs necessary to support this research, which can assist Somali decision-makers in planning and scaling up nature-based approaches to flood mitigation.
 
UNEP-DHI’s study identified flood-targeting NbS already tested in the Somali context and assessed their effectiveness using hydrological and hydraulic models developed with MIKE HYDRO River (now known as MIKE+ Rivers). For flash flood mitigation in ephemeral wadis, peak flow in response to heavy rainfall was compared between a baseline scenario and scenarios employing reforestation, terracing or water retention structures such as sand dams and weirs. For sediment-related riverine floods, a hydraulic river model with sediment transport components was used to assess the effectiveness of different NbS in decreasing the mass of sediment entering the river and in decreasing incidence of flooding. 

Navigating water resources challenges in the Senegal River Basin

Integrated hydrological and hydraulic studies enhance water management and resilience to climate change&nbsp;
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The Senegal River basin, located in West Africa, spans four countries and covers 1.6% of the continent. The river basin faces significant challenges due to uncontrolled tributaries causing droughts, floods and erosion, directly impacting the lives of local communities and the health of the environment. Additionally, existing water management systems, designed using historical climate data, may not adequately address the increasing frequency and severity of climate events. By utilising DHI’s integrated hydrological and hydraulic modelling, the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) has adopted a modern approach to water resource management. This enables more accurate understanding of floods and droughts, helping local communities adapt to future uncertainties and safeguard their livelihoods.
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Challenge
Uncontrolled tributaries are streams or rivers flowing into a main river without regulation or management. Influenced by natural factors like rainfall and topography, their flow can fluctuate due to weather events. Human activities such as deforestation and agriculture can further impact their flow and health. This can lead to challenges like flooding, erosion and water quality issues, making effective monitoring and management essential for the river system's overall health.
In the Senegal River basin, these challenges affect both residents and the environment. For local communities, these issues have led to water scarcity, affecting agriculture and livelihoods while limiting access to clean water, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. Environmentally, these challenges result in habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity and decreased soil fertility, highlighting the urgent need for integrated water resources management approaches to address the impacts on both human and ecological communities.&nbsp;
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Solution
For nearly two decades, DHI and OMVS have built a strong partnership that has resulted in an enhanced understanding of the hydrological dynamics in the Senegal River Basin.&nbsp;
For this project, DHI conducted hydrological and hydraulic studies of the Senegal River's uncontrolled tributaries using DHI’s Global Hydrological Model (GHM), focusing on evaluating water resources, understanding the dynamics of water flow and erosion phenomena, and identifying interventions for sustainable management. Using DHI’s GHM, runoff has been computed for the entire river basin to assess the water availability in key uncontrolled tributaries.
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The solution involved gathering data on geographic, climatic and hydrometric conditions, creating thematic maps to illustrate the basin's characteristics and using hydrological modelling to simulate water movement and distribution. The aim was to establish a foundation for informed decision-making that addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of the basin's ecosystems and communities while considering the impacts of climate change and human activities.
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Results
The solution has established a basin-wide hydrological and hydraulic model for the Senegal River's basin. OMVS can now improve strategic planning and better anticipate floods and droughts, enabling targeted prioritisation of interventions in the uncontrolled tributaries of the basin. The enhanced water management aims to improve water availability, reduce flood and erosion risks, and increase agricultural productivity to the benefit of the quality of life of the local community. Additionally, this approach has facilitated the stabilisation and restoration of natural habitats, benefitting aquatic ecosystems.

Supporting river basin and coastal management in Central Greece

Integrated decision-support-system boosts Greece's water management and restoration efforts
 
The Spercheios River is prone to frequent flooding and is significantly impacted by agrochemical runoff and wastewater from surrounding areas. To support the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in addressing these challenges, DHI implemented advanced flood and hydrological models alongside a comprehensive early warning and forecasting decision support system (DSS). This integrated approach enhances water management and restoration efforts for both the river basin and its adjacent coastal zone.
 
Challenge
An ecologically-sensitive area
Spercheios River and its deltaic system is located in Central Greece, close to the historic site of Thermopylae. Many ecologically-important areas protected under the NATURA 2000 network are located within the 1828 km2 Spercheios river basin. Anthropogenic interventions in the deltaic area, especially after the 1950s, has influenced its natural habitats. The main interventions include:
 

Intensification of agricultural cultivations that have been expanding on the natural riparian vegetation at the expense of biodiversity
Over-pumping of groundwater and river water abstractions for irrigation
Use of fertilisers and pesticides, along with uncontrolled disposal of urban wastes and household refuses from villages
Wastewater and solid industrial wastes that aggravate the natural habitats and affect the fauna and water quality of surface and underground waters
Construction of roads, irrigation and drainage networks that have significantly altered the natural drainage regime, as well as heavy rainfall and floods that take place about once every three years

 
To effectively manage and restore the Spercheios River basin and its coastal zone, HCMR required a comprehensive overview of both areas. The primary challenge was the absence of timely, accurate data that was centrally stored and readily accessible. Additionally, there was a critical need to integrate this data with models and DSS.
 
Local authorities had to be better prepared for the threats of frequent flooding and poor water quality, to ultimately reduce financial losses and health risks for the local community. 
 
Solution
DHI developed and helped HCMR implement a monitoring, forecasting and water quality management system. This meant that HCMR could now obtain, manage and use data more efficiently than ever before. Solution highlights:
 

A sophisticated and integrated DSS that is capable of managing different sources of information automatically
Coupled flood and hydrological models
An online system that can produce accurate model forecasts, water balance reports and early warnings of river flooding and basin hydrology

Results

Improved operational efficiencyThe timely and accurate data now supports informed decision-making in the river basin and coastal Gulf area. With this powerful framework in hand, HCMR and Central Greece can efficiently study regional changes, leading to improved management and restoration practices.
Better preparednessOur solution's forecasting and monitoring capabilities empower authorities to effectively plan mitigation measures and address emerging issues.
Reduced costsReadily-available information results in optimised and more efficient agricultural practices which translate to cost-savings for the local farmers.
A better understanding of climate change and land-use impactsAs part of this research, we analysed the impacts of climate and land use changes. Scenarios were evaluated to determine how shifts in land use, irrigation practices and climate would affect water quality and quantity in both the river basin and the Maliakos Gulf coastal zone.
Publicly accessible data platformSampling and monitoring data, along with flood and hydrological forecasts, are publicly accessible here and for use by authorities. A walk-through guide (in Greek) for navigating the project website is available here.


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