Articles | Volume 30, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-4847-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-4847-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Forecast-based operation of repurposed small reservoirs for floods, farms, and (low) flows
Institute for Water and Environment – Hydrology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Institute for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Robert Lang
HYDRON Ingenieurgesellschaft für Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft GmbH, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany
Uwe Ehret
Institute for Water and Environment – Hydrology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
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In this paper, we use models to demonstrate that even small flood reservoirs – which capture water to avoid floods downstream – can be repurposed to release water in drier conditions without affecting their ability to protect against floods. By capturing water and releasing it once levels are low, we show that reservoirs can greatly increase the water available in drought. Having more water available to the reservoir, however, is not necessarily better for drought protection.
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Short summary
Small flood reservoirs are modelled to determine whether they can still provide water for farms and low-flows under uncertain forecasts. Though forecasts did affect how much water was available, reservoirs were still able to provide water for raising river levels and for crops. At the same time, they were able to ensure that flooding conditions were maintained. This shows that such flood reservoirs could be converted into water supply reservoirs to expand water resources in a warming world.
Small flood reservoirs are modelled to determine whether they can still provide water for farms...