THE KOKEMENJOKI RIVER BASIN

FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

Mete aan Ik - Bahadr Akn
Introduction
The Kokemenjoki River Basin is the 4th largest in
Finland
It has been predicted that climate change will alter
the flood dynamics of the Kokemenjoki River
The highest flow peaks will shift from spring to late autumn and
winter
Risk of ice jam floods will increase
The city of Pori at the delta of the river is the most
significant flood risk area in Finland
The preparation of a Flood Risk Management Plan
(FRMP) for the river basin as a national pilot.
RIVER BASIN AND DELTA
The Kokemenjoki River Basin
Located in the south-western part
of Finland.
Fourth largest river basin in Finland
(27 000 km2)
Characterised by a high proportion
of lakes (11%) in the catchment
area.
Most of the lakes are located in the
upper part of the catchment.
RIVER BASIN AND DELTA
The length of the main river is about 110 km
The Kokemenjoki River is heavily modified.
Ecological state of most lakes in the river basin is good
The main river it is mainly satisfactory
The largest lakes of the river basin as well as the main
river flows were originally regulated to serve flood
prevention and hydropower generation.
11 significant (over 1 MW) hydropower plants in the river
Pori is the second largest city, with 80 000 inhabitants,
in the catchment.
COLLABORATION & PLANNING
In 2007 the South-west Finland Regional Environment
Centre began preparing FRMP
Extensive collaboration with other authorities,
municipalities and actors of the river basin
The steering group of the FRMP comprises 25
people.
Several experts have also participated in the
preparation of the FRMP.
The FRMP will be finalised during 2011.
CLIMATE CHANGE
It has been predicted that climate change will alter
the flood dynamics of the Kokemenjoki River.
For example: The annual 1% probability of an open water flood is
predicted to increase by approximately 15% in the period 20402069
as compared to 19712000
Snow cover duration and the amount of water stored in
the snowpack will decrease.
This will also mitigate the traditional spring flood caused by
snowmelt.
Rainfall in late autumn and early winter is predicted to
increase.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The increasingly high flows and warmer winters, when
cold and warm periods alternate, will increase the
probability of;
Frazil ice
ice crystals accumulating in supercooled water, blocking the flow.
Ice jam floods
These are the most harmful types of flood in the
Kokemenjoki River.
PRELIMINARY FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
Historic data on previous floods
Water-level data has been gathered since the nineteenth century.
There have been several harmful floods in the past
Although data on water levels and flows of the floods are
comprehensive, data on the damage and economic impacts of the
floods are deficient.
GIS-based preliminary flood risk assessment has been
carried out in addition to the historic data
GIS: Geographic Information Systems
According to preliminary flood risk assessment there
are at least two significant flood risk areas in the
Kokemenjoki
PRELIMINARY FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
1. The city of Pori
At the delta of the river
80 000 inhabitants in the city
Up to 20 000 are in danger of being exposed to floods in terms of
damage being caused to their homes.
2. The city of Huittinen
On the central part of the main river.
Flood risk area is large due to the flatness of the area
Up to 500 inhabitants exposed to floods in terms of damage being
caused to their homes.
Large-scale piggeries, henhouses and cowhouses
Flood Hazard And Damage
Assessment
The Figure illustrates the flood hazard map for the
city of Pori in the case of a serious ice jam flood.
It is estimated to be approximately 0.51%
The overall direct damage would be at least
EUR 300 million
On the other hand, direct damage of an open
water flood with 1% probability would be
approximately EUR 5 million.
The possible flood damage in the city of Huittinen
is also rise to millions of euros.
These estimates only include direct damage to
agriculture, buildings and industry.
FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
The flood risk management measures are
categorised in the FRMP into;
flood risk prevention
flood prevention
flood protection
preparedness
Geographically, the measures can be grouped
into;
measures at the river-basin scale
measures in the city of Pori
measures in the city of Huittinen
Flood Risk Prevention
The most important flood risk
prevention measure is linked to;
Land use planning
Building regulations
The recommendations for lowest
building elevation are set for the
entire catchment area.
Flood Prevention
Adaptive lake regulations
It is the most important measure for
preventing floods
Frazil and ice-jam prevention
Water retention and controlled
flooding
Flood Protection
Dredging and Embankment
Large-scale local flood protection
measures
New Channels
increases the possibility of managing
the flood risks by enlarging the flow
capacity of the river.
Individual property protection
Preparedness
Runoff forecast and warning
systems
Flood prevention and protection
rehearsals
Public guidance
Rescue plans
Temporary flood protection
structures
CONCLUSIONS
According to climate change estimations, the flood
risks of the Kokemenjoki River will increase in future.
Effective flood risk management will require for both
flood prevention measures and substantial flood
protection structures
Collaboration among authorities remains the key
element of successful flood risk management in the
Kokemenjoki River Basin.