TY - JOUR
T1 - Documentary evidence of past floods in Europe and their utility in flood frequency estimation
AU - Kjeldsen, T R
AU - Macdonald, Neil
AU - Lang, Michel
AU - Mediero, Luis
AU - Albuquerque , Teresa
AU - Bogdanowicz , Ewa
AU - Brazdil, Rudolf
AU - Castellarin, Attilio
AU - David, Vaclav
AU - Fleig, Anne
AU - Gul, Gulay Onusluel
AU - Kriauciuniene, Jurate
AU - Kohnova, Silvia
AU - Merz, Bruno
AU - Nicholson, Oliver
AU - Roald, Lars Andreas
AU - Salinas, Jose Luis
AU - Sarauskiene , Diana
AU - Sraj, Mojca
AU - Strupczewski , Witold
AU - Szolgay, Jan
AU - Toumazis , Antonis
AU - Vanneuville, Wouter
AU - Veijalainen , Noora
AU - Wilson, Donna
PY - 2014/9/19
Y1 - 2014/9/19
N2 - This review outlines the use of documentary evidence of historical flood events in contemporary flood frequency estimation in European countries. The study shows that despite widespread consensus in the scientific literature on the utility of documentary evidence, the actual migration from academic to practical application has been limited. A detailed review of flood frequency estimation guidelines from different countries showed that the value of historical data is generally recognised, but practical methods for systematic and routine inclusion of this type of data into risk analysis are in most cases not available. Studies of historical events were identified in most countries, and good examples of national databases attempting to collate the available information were identified. The conclusion is that there is considerable potential for improving the reliability of the current flood risk assessments by harvesting the valuable information on past extreme events contained in the historical data sets.
AB - This review outlines the use of documentary evidence of historical flood events in contemporary flood frequency estimation in European countries. The study shows that despite widespread consensus in the scientific literature on the utility of documentary evidence, the actual migration from academic to practical application has been limited. A detailed review of flood frequency estimation guidelines from different countries showed that the value of historical data is generally recognised, but practical methods for systematic and routine inclusion of this type of data into risk analysis are in most cases not available. Studies of historical events were identified in most countries, and good examples of national databases attempting to collate the available information were identified. The conclusion is that there is considerable potential for improving the reliability of the current flood risk assessments by harvesting the valuable information on past extreme events contained in the historical data sets.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.06.038
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.06.038
DO - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.06.038
M3 - Article
SN - 0022-1694
VL - 517
SP - 963
EP - 973
JO - Journal of Hydrology
JF - Journal of Hydrology
ER -