Evaluación de la peligrosidad de las crecidas extraordinarias del río Duero en Zamora: hidrología histórica, hidráulica y patrimonio histórico

Abstract

The present study aims at the appraisal and latter development of a comprehensive methodology that enables a better assessment of extraordinary river Duero floods impact on infrastructures in general and on historical heritage areas in particular. Due to the long-­‐lasting historical and sedimentary records of the area, estimations and evaluations integrate different data sources and time scales. Flood data for the Douro River at Zamora have been compiled (760 years). During this period a total of 11 catastrophic floods were identified (e.g. 1739 and 1860), as well as over 30 extreme floods (e.g. 1636). Documentary data provided information on: 1) flood levels; 2) classification of events according to flood water level and damage. Temporal changes in the magnitude and frequency of floods have a strong correlation with climatic variations. Flood frequency analysis using gauged and historical floods shows differences in the discharge figures calculated by the Water Authority in Zamora.