Water expertise by Finnish Environment Institute
Climate change impact assessments for hydrology and lake regulation
Use climate scenarios and hydrological modelling to prepare for changing floods, droughts, water levels, and nutrient loading. We help authorities, planners and water managers develop effective climate adaptation measures.
Plan water management for a changing climate
Climate change can alter river discharges, lake water levels, floods, droughts and stormwater flows. Understanding these changes helps you prepare for future conditions in dam safety, lake and reservoir regulation, flood risk management and urban planning.
We use the Finnish Environment Institute’s Watershed Simulation and Forecasting System, WSFS, together with climate scenarios to assess possible changes in hydrological conditions. Our experts can also evaluate how alternative lake regulation rules perform under different future scenarios.
For nutrient loading assessments, we use the WSFS-Vemala model to examine how changes in climate and hydrology may affect nutrient leaching and transport from catchments to water bodies.
Services we provide
We tailor our modelling and scenario assessments to your planning context, helping you compare possible future conditions and identify practical adaptation needs.
Hydrological climate impact assessments
Flood estimates for dam safety and planning
Lake regulation assessments
Stormwater flow assessments
Nutrient loading assessments
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Frequently asked questions
The following answers explain how climate impact assessments can support water management and adaptation planning.
What hydrological changes can you assess?
We can assess possible changes in river discharges, lake water levels, floods and droughts using the WSFS hydrological model together with climate scenarios. We can also assess stormwater flows and use WSFS-Vemala to examine potential changes in nutrient loading.
How can the assessment support dam safety?
Climate scenarios can be used to estimate how floods may change in the future. These estimates provide information for dam safety assessments, preparedness and adaptation planning. The scope of the analysis can be defined according to the location and planning need.
Can you evaluate alternative lake regulation rules?
Yes. We can model how different regulation rules and practices perform under several climate scenarios. This allows you to compare alternatives and examine how well current or proposed practices may function under varying future hydrological conditions.
Can nutrient loading be included in the assessment?
Yes. We use the WSFS-Vemala model to assess how changes in climate and hydrology may affect nutrient loading from catchments to rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
How do we start an assessment?
Contact our experts to discuss your planning need and the hydrological variables, geographical area and climate-related questions to be examined. Based on the discussion, we can define an appropriate modelling and assessment scope.
Prepare for future water conditions
Turn climate scenarios into practical information for flood risk management, dam safety, lake regulation or water protection. Contact our experts to discuss the assessment your organisation needs.