Hydromorphology – the Study of the Hydromorphological Characteristics of Surface Water and the Changes in the Hydromorphological Processes and Characteristics Resulting from Various Disturbances of the Aquatic Environment

With the increasing demand for water for irrigation, power generation, breeding of aquatic organisms and activities affecting water and waterside land due to settlement, development of transport infrastructure and agricultural land use, man has caused numerous changes to the natural hydromorphological characteristics. Many barriers and dams were built, interrupting the characteristic longitudinal flow continuity, more often than not making the corridors narrower and depriving the rivers of their natural channel patterns. Variegated riverbeds have in many cases been replaced with rectangular and trapezoidal shapes, while their banks and beds have been reinforced using rigid materials.

Updating the Integrated Maps of Floods

In order to implement the Decree on Conditions and Limitations for Constructions and Activities on Flood Risk Areas (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 89/08) concerning the preparation of national spatial plans of state priority, records of HH studies have been established for which both the IWRS and the Slovenian Environment Agency have issued opinions confirming their compliance with the methodology rules and a data layer at the cadastral municipality level has been developed (published in the Environmental Atlas).

Preliminary Identification of Key Inundation Areas of High Waters in the Area of Slovenia

Significant flood hazard areas are defined as part of flooding areas where floodwater can spill and be retained without significant damage, potentially reducing any damaging effects downstream. The Floods Directive prescribes taking into account the areas where floodwater could be retained (natural floodplains). The designation of areas is based on both relevant implementing regulations, i.e. the Decree on Drawing Up a Water Management Plan and the Rules on Mapping Methodology.

International Operation and Integration

By reason of the transboundary nature of the marine environment, Member States need to cooperate to ensure the coordinated development of marine strategies for each marine region or subregion. Member States therefore strive to ensure that assessment methodologies are consistent across the marine region or subregion and that transboundary impacts and transboundary features are taken into account.