Author(s): J. Hubl; A. Rimbock; R. Hohne

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Extreme flood; Torrential flooding; Simbach creek; Event analysis; Risk management

Abstract: In early summer 2016, an extreme flood event occurred at the Simbach creek, Germany, causing enormous damages and five fatalities (LFU, 2017). The sudden rise of the hydrograph and the peak discharge was significantly higher than expected from design flood estimates. Additionally, dam failures led to an increase of the discharge. To better understand this exceptionally event, a detailed event documentation and analysis were initiated. Additional to measured flood marks, the collection of photos and videos helped to reconstruct and to simulate the event with a hydrologic model. Furthermore, a hydraulic model was set up to back-calculate the flow patterns. The peak discharge could finally be reconstructed and verified. We found that this event exceeded the 100-years flood by far. From an engineering point of view, we learned a lot about such extreme events, nevertheless, further discussion and societal consensus about the strategies how to handle remaining risks is necessary.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_207-cd

Year: 2018