Flood retention in alpine catchments equipped with complex hydropower schemes - A case study of the upper Aare catchment in Switzerland

The simulation of run-off in alpine catchment areas is an important issue for the optimal operation of hydropower plants for normal flow conditions, but also during flood events. A semi-lumped numerical approach combines hydrological modelling and operation of hydraulic elements. It allows simulation of operating mode of complex storage hydropower plants and its impacts on the downstream river system for different scenarios. The modelling of the upper Aare catchment with the Oberhasli hydropower scheme in Switzerland is presented. The effect of the existing reservoirs and their management, taking into account preventive turbining, on flood routing in the Aare River upstream of Lake Brienz is presented for the 2005 and 1987 flood events. The enhancement project KWOplus, which contains a considerable increase of storage volume in the main reservoir as well as in turbining capacity, is estimated.