Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 10.2 (continued)
MINERVE
The project stands for 'Modélisation des Intempéries de Nature
Extrême, des Retenues Valaisannes et de leurs Effets' which
is the initiative by the canton to improve the modelling of
extreme events and natural hazards, their retention and
effects. The project represents a public - private partnership
between the Canton Valais, l'Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), Météosuisse, as well as a selection of
hydropower companies.
EPFL and Météosuisse were engaged in order
to develop the information management
system, while the hydropower operators
have been in negotiations with the canton
to secure extra storage in hydropower
reservoirs as a means of limiting the
impact of flooding events and other
natural hazards. At the prior knowledge of
a heavy precipitation event, hydropower
companies are warned so that the
reservoirs (Speicherbäche) can be
automatically lowered to buffer the
volume of precipitation that comes down.
Cantonal subsidies and support
Investment in infrastructure and irrigation technology by the
cantonal authority for agriculture (Amt für
Strukturverbesserungen, Dienstelle für Landwirtschaft).
Modeling and observation networks: Canton authorities are
responsible for monitoring and evaluation networks in the
Valais, but are vertically connected to MétéoSuisse as well as
to the communes and hydropower companies to coordinate
information exchange prior to and during extreme events.
The cantonal office for agriculture is
encouraging regional farmers to move
irrigation technology towards drop
irrigation, to enable a 30-40% reduction
in water use. Shifts in technology in the
vineyards (where drop irrigation is
increasingly used) has already reduced
water use.
Multi-stakeholder working groups supported
through cantonal authorities and national
level agencies and associations (WA21,
Cantonal Agricultural Centre, Association
of Utilities) to initiate scoping exercises
on climate change impacts in the Valais.
Integration of climate information into
planning by hydropower companies but
general apathy to future impacts in other
sectors
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