An Insight into the Factors Controlling Delta Flood Events: The Case of the Evros River Deltaic Plain (NE Aegean Sea)
Serafeim Poulos,
Aikaterini Karditsa,
Maria Hatzaki,
Athina Tsapanou,
Christos Papapostolou,
Konstantinos Chouvardas
Affiliations
Serafeim Poulos
Laboratory of Physical Geography, Sector of Geography and Climatology, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Aikaterini Karditsa
Department of Port Management and Shipping, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evripos Campus, 34400 Athens, Greece
Maria Hatzaki
Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Sector of Geography and Climatology, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Athina Tsapanou
Laboratory of Physical Geography, Sector of Geography and Climatology, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Christos Papapostolou
Special Service for Public Works of Macedonia, Epirus and Thrace, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, 68132 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Konstantinos Chouvardas
Independent Directorate of Civil Protection, Region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece
The present contribution aims to give an insight into the main terrestrial and marine processes leading to delta flooding in the case of the transboundary Evros delta, located at the microtidal NE Aegean Sea, on the basis of recorded flood events in the Evros deltaic plain. The prevailing weather conditions at the onset of the event, along with sea-level rise above the mean state, portray the mechanism for the development of compound flood events and subsequent riparian flooding. This system blocks the riverine water’s seaward exit, resulting in the flooding of the lower deltaic plain. The river discharge is recognized as a secondary factor acting mainly toward the persistence of the events. Several limitations restrict the quantification potential of the relative contribution of the key factors to the development, onset, and duration of a flood. Mitigation of the impacts of such flood events requires intercountry cooperation and a management plan based on a network of environmental monitoring.
