Torrential Hazards’ Mitigation Measures in a Typical Alpine Catchment in Slovenia

Abstract

Different sediment-related disasters due to torrential hazards, such as flash floods, debris flows, and landslides, can occur in an Alpine torrential catchment. When protecting infrastructure and human lives, different structural and non-structural protection measures can be used to mitigate permanent and future risks. An overview of the mitigation measures constructed near the Krvavec ski resort in northwest Slovenia (Central Europe) is presented. In May 2018, an extreme debris flood occurred in this area, causing significant economic damage. After the May 2018 event, different field investigations (i.e., geological and topographic surveys) and modeling applications (e.g., hydrological modeling, debris flow) have been conducted with the purpose of preparing the required input data for the design of protection measures against such disasters in future—due to climate change, more disasters are expected to happen in this torrential watershed. The mitigation includes the restoration of local streams, the construction of a large slit check dam for sediment retention, the construction of several smaller check dams and the construction of 16 flexible net barriers with an estimated ~8000 m3 retention volume for controlling in-channel erosion in steep torrential streams. Additionally, in order to observe and monitor potential future extreme events, an extensive monitoring system has been established in the investigated area. This monitoring system will cover measurements of flexible net corrosion, the estimation of concrete abrasion at check dams, periodical geodetic surveys using small drones (UAV), hydro-meteorological measurements using rainfall gauges and water level sensors. The recent extreme floods of August 2023 also hit this part of Slovenia, and this combination of technical countermeasures withstood the event and prevented large amounts of coarse debris from being transported to the downstream section and devastating infrastructure, as was the case in May 2018 during a less extreme event. Therefore, such mitigation measures can also be used in other torrential catchments in the Alpine environment.