Adasa in the maintenance of control networks in the event of extreme weather events on the Tajo River, from Jana to Martinho

Adasa in the maintenance of control networks in the event of extreme weather events on the Tagus River, from Jana to Martinho

During the month of March, the management of hydraulic infrastructures in the face of the succession of a total of four high impact storms (Jana, Konrad, Laurece and Martinho) in the Tagus river basin showed the crucial importance of maintaining the automatic control networks in optimal conditions for decision-making in real time. During extreme weather events, the digitisation of assets and the exploitation of real-time data on the Tajo River have proven their effectiveness.

The system has allowed the Confederación Hidrográfica del Tajo (CHT) to have real-time data on the abundant rainfall and the consequent increase in river levels and contributions in the reservoirs of the Tagus basin. In fact, the events that occurred in March have the singularity that they have hit the whole of the Demarcation, being felt more intensely in the systems of the Tajuña, Henares, Madrid, Alberche, Middle Tajo, Tiétar and Lower Tajo.

The maintenance and operation of the technologies implemented have been fundamental and have helped the CHT's operating services to manage the exceptional hydrological situation in practically the entire basin, where numerous gauging stations have exceeded the warning thresholds, meaning a high probability of flooding episodes, with records of historical maximums in gauging stations as significant as those of the river Henares in Guadalajara, the river Alberche in Aldea del Fresno, and the river Tajo as it passes through Toledo and Talavera.

The Automatic Hydrological Information System (AHIS) plays a crucial role in the monitoring of hydrological and meteorological parameters in real time, allowing a rapid response to extreme events such as the one experienced in the Tajo River. The exploitation of the data with the Decision Support System (DSS), using numerical prediction models, allows for the anticipation of warnings of extreme episodes. The optimised management with this ODS has been of great use for flood control in reservoirs, adapting the manoeuvres in the dams monitored in the SAIH.

Likewise, the real-time information provided by the SAIH, via its website (www.saihtajo.chtajo.es), serves as a reference for the coordination of the competent authorities (Civil Protection, 112, Government Delegations and Sub-delegations), as well as providing information to companies and individuals who may be affected by the rise in river levels. The SAIH control centre, staffed 24/7, provides information at all times to facilitate the sending of formal notifications to these bodies during the most critical period of the flood.

Jarama river in Valdepeñas de la Sierra

 

Adasa and the future challenges in the maintenance of the Tajo integrated control networks
Adasa leads the Consortium in charge of the maintenance of the Tajo integrated networks (SAIH, SAICA, ROEA and piezometry) during the current maintenance and operation cycle, which covers periods of up to five years. The main objective is to maximise their efficiency in extreme hydrological situations, as well as the optimal management of water resources in ordinary situations.

To this end, maintenance work is being carried out on the network to guarantee the operation of the systems and associated control points, together with new developments to drive technological innovation in this type of control network and accompany the digital transformation of the water sector as a whole.

With regard to the operation of the system, in addition to the ordinary operation work to guarantee the processing and presentation of information that reflects the basin situation in real time, the extraordinary operation work is focused on modernising the ODS, introducing artificial intelligence technologies, which will optimise the detection and anticipation of extreme hydrological episodes.

For the SAICA quality network, Adasa is also implementing advanced data measurement and analysis technologies to detect discharges in the network early and activate preventive actions.

 

River Alberche at Cazalegas reservoir