Flood management in the Upper Rhone River basin: from forecast to decision

The MINERVE project of flood forecast and management upstream from Lake Geneva is nowadays operational. It aims to protect against inundations in the Rhone Valley, through the Valais and Vaud Cantons. Two main objectives are expected. The first is the hydrological forecast in the catchment area for a better risk management during floods, with warning steps depending on different thresholds (notice, alert and alarm). The second is the preventive management of hydropower plants, when required, during heavy precipitations periods.