La prévision hydrométéorologique et la conduite en crue des ouvrages EDF de production d'électricité : l'exemple des crues de février et mai 1999 sur le Rhin

The hydrometeorological forecast and the management of EDF electricity production structures in case of flood: the example of the floods of February and May 1999 on the Rhine River

¹ EDF-DTG, Grenoble
² EDF, Energie EST, Mulhouse

Abstract

Whether flash on small mountainous catchments or slower on some big hydrographical basins, the flood is a major concern for the safety management of electricity production structures. To face it up, EDF has set up an integrated system of supervision and hydrometeorological forecast which allows to alert the dam operators early enough and brings them a precious assistance to come to a decision. We describe the system and its organisation, from the field measurement and the hydrological forecast to the reach of decision and the experimental returns. The recent event of the Rhine's flood of February and May 1999 is taken as an example. After a description of the phenomenons, of its follow-up, of the ensuing experiment returns, we show what such a supervision brings to the right management of dams in terms of operation safety, floods control and navigation.