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Investigation of potential debris flows above the Koroška Bela settlement, NW Slovenia, from hydro-technical and conceptual design perspectives

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Abstract

Debris flows are one of the natural disasters that can occur in the alpine environment, cause large economic damage, and endanger human lives. This study presents an overview of recent research done in relation to the debris flow hazard assessment and conceptual mitigation at the Koroška Bela area in Slovenia. This includes fieldwork, lab experiments, modelling, and a conceptual design of hydro-technical measures to reduce the risk. The results indicate that multiple debris flows occurred in the past in the area but a relatively long period of more than 100 years without an extreme event led to urbanization and development of the area. Magnitudes of the most extreme events as the worst-case scenarios were estimated to be in the range between 100,000 and 400,000 m3, using debris flow modelling and geological information from research trenches. Based on the landslide volumes, such events could also potentially occur in the future in extreme conditions. Additionally, torrential floods could mobilize more than 15,000 m3 of material located along the stream network that can be regarded as potentially unstable. The existing check dam system does not have the capacity to capture this material. Thus, a new check dam and three flexible net barriers could help to reduce the risk due to torrential outbursts or debris flows.

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Funding

The study was financed by the Division for Rehabilitation after Natural and Other Disasters of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional financial support was provided by the Slovenian Research Agency through grants P2-0180 and Z1-2638. Anže Markelj’s support with fieldwork is highly appreciated. As well as Mojca Vilfan’s support with English editing. Critical and useful comments of two anonymous reviewers greatly improved this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Nejc Bezak, Jošt Sodnik, Matej Maček, Timotej Jurček & Matjaž Mikoš

  2. Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Jernej Jež & Tina Peternel

  3. Environmental Civil Engineering Ltd, Tehnološki park 21, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Jošt Sodnik

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  1. Nejc Bezak
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  2. Jošt Sodnik
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  3. Matej Maček
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  4. Timotej Jurček
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  5. Jernej Jež
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  6. Tina Peternel
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  7. Matjaž Mikoš
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Correspondence to Nejc Bezak.

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Bezak, N., Sodnik, J., Maček, M. et al. Investigation of potential debris flows above the Koroška Bela settlement, NW Slovenia, from hydro-technical and conceptual design perspectives. Landslides 18, 3891–3906 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01774-7

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