LAREDAR launched

Launched in April and holding its kick-off meeting on 2nd – 6th June in Szolnok, Hungary, LAREDAR project will focus on the roles of lakes and reservoirs, to observe their relevance in flood risk control and reduction and to create a useful tool that serves the targets of flood risk mitigation. The two-and-a-half-year project LAREDAR (Lakes and Reservoirs in the Danube River Basin) is led by the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (Hungary) and involves 11 project partners from eight countries across the Danube Region (Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine).  

Despite the individual importance of lakes and reservoirs in flood management the overall cross boundary coordination within the Danube River Basin remains a challenge. Siloed data are hindering effective decision-making with perspective of the whole sequence of actions at the level of the whole river basin or sub-basin.  

One of the main activities of the project is development of LAREDAR GIS which will provide platform for spatial data sharing for relevant stakeholders involved in management of lakes and reservoirs, flood management authorities, researchers or policymakers.  

Based on of the analyses and modelling results from the five pilot areas, a Transnational Manual for lakes and reservoirs management will be formulated. Recommendations for lakes and reservoirs management for coordinated flood protection as well as in case of water scarcity or drought risk will be elaborated.  

The ultimate goal of the LAREDAR project is to proposes Guidance to improve the flood protection and mitigate flood risk in the entire DRB. The unique expertise of the consortium will reflect into formulation of good practices which will be disseminated to larger audience relevant for the flood management in the DRB.  

Kick-off meeting, organized by Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (KÖTIVIZIG), provided great opportunity for first exchange of expert views between DRB countries. Filed visit of the unique Flood Protection Training Center near Szolnok and various locations at the Lake Tisza demonstrated reservoir management in daily operation. This major flood protection infrastructure is nowadays accompanied by large areas of green infrastructure enhancing biodiversity and providing also significant drought risk mitigation measures.  

Lake Tisza is one piece of the whole mosaic of lakes and reservoirs along the Danube River and its tributaries playing important role in cross-boundary flood management and sustainable water resource management.