Flooding study of the Loira River (Galicia, Spain): Importance of pre-evaluation in land management

Abstract

Floods pose recurrent threats to numerous countries, carrying substantial social, economic and at times, catastrophic implications, especially in extreme scenarios. In addition, coastal areas are strongly threatened by extreme weather events and climate change impacts. Given these pressing challenges, it becomes imperative to conduct thorough assessments of future flood impacts, particularly in areas of significant environmental and socio-economic importance. This study addresses this need by focusing on the potential consequences of flooding in the Loira River, situated in the municipality of Marín, Pontevedra, Northwestern Spain. For this purpose, the free software IBER has been used, these is a free software that solves the 2D depth-averaged shallow water equations (SWEs) by using a finite volume scheme, with the domain being discretized with both structured and unstructured triangular or quadrilateral elements. The hydrological model has been established from the maximum flow for different return periods (T10, T100 and T500). Field observations, including channel widths, bridge configurations, and various parameters, further inform our analysis. Our findings reveal critical insights, including a maximum height differential of 0.48 m, particularly significant at the upstream bridge, exacerbating flooding risks in adjacent plains. Moreover, velocities along riverbanks reach hazardous levels, notably during the 500-year return period, necessitating urgent protective measures for local residents. The hydrological model also indicates that small-scale forestation has no significant effect on flood prevention. This research underscores the utility of advanced hydrological modelling in informing risk management strategies and underscores the necessity of pre-emptive hydrological analyses to mitigate future flood risks effectively.