STORM-Rhine: Simulation Tool for River Management

The Simulation Tool for River Management (STORM), based on the River Rhine case, aims to provide insight into river and floodplain management, by (1) raising awareness of river functions, (2) exploring alternative strategies, (3) showing the links between natural processes, spatial planning, engineering interventions, river functions and stakeholder interests, (4) facilitating the debate between different policy makers and stakeholders from across the basin and (5) enhancing co-operation and mutual understanding. The simulation game is built around the new concepts of \u93Room for the River\u94, Flood Retention Areas, Resurrection of former River Channels and \u93Living with the Floods\u94. The Game focuses on the Lower and Middle Rhine from the Dutch Delta to Maxau in Germany. Influences from outside the area are included as scenarios for boundary conditions. The heart of the tool is the hydraulic module, which calculates representative high- and low waterlevels for different hydrological scenarios and influenced by river engineering measures and physical planning in the floodplains. The water levels are translated in flood risks, navigation potential, nature development and land use opportunities in the floodplain. Players of the Game represent the institutions: National, Regional, Municipal Government and Interest Organisations, with interests in flood protection, navigation, agriculture, urban expansion, mining and nature. Players take typical river and floodplain engineering, physical planning and administrative measures to pursue their interests in specific river functions. The players are linked by institutional arrangements and budgetary constraints. The game particularly aims at middle and higher level staff of local and regional government, water boards and members of interest groups from across the basin, who deal with particular stretches or functions of the river but who need (1) to be better aware of the integrated whole, (2) to understand the interests and considerations of others and (3) to experience the mutual benefits of co-operation. There is potential for using the game as one of the tools in support of interactive formulation of policy and participatory decision-making in actual plans.Irma-Spong