EXAMINATION OF THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING FLOOD PROTECTION WORKS, EVALUATION ON THE BASIS OF MODEL SIMULATIONS

The aim of this study is the analysis of protection measures present in the pilot basin located in the Apulia Region, in Southern of Italy. Some scenarios have been developed through a hydrologic model, operating on the basin scale, in order to find some actual protection measures to perform the objective of the peak flow discharge reduction when flood events occur. During the last decades, many hydraulic works have been built along the river modifying the natural course and the processes of picking up and carrying away the material produced by erosive action on its bed and banks. As a consequence the power of flood and the time of concentration have been changed. The conventional tillage performed in the cultivated area represents the main factor which influences the flood events registered in the Candelaro area. The SWAT model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) has been used to simulate different scenarios in order to reduce flow discharges during flood events through restoration of the whole river networks to its natural status and simulating no tillage operations on all crops cultivated in the Candelaro river basin.