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101-0278-00L 3 Credits MSC , NDS D-BAUG

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Flood Protection

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Robert Boes, Josef Eberli

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:59

Abstract

Concepts and structural measures to prevent or mitigate flood damage, planning methods to implement projects in practice

Objective

To get to know processes leading to flood damage, the different concepts and structural measures allowing to prevent or mitigate flood damage, as well as promising practical planning methods to implement flood protection measures in practice.

Content

Explanation of relevant processes: flooding, aggradation, sedimentations, erosion, debris flows. Concept of different objectives of protection for various land uses (from rural areas to industrial regions). General possibilities of flood protection / control. Land use planning on the basis of hazard zones. Classical procedures against flood damage with the use of examples such as increase of flow capacity, release structures, flood detention basins, polder. Property protection as continuative measure. Maintenance. Considering of overload case, Emergency procedures. Damage determination and risk analysis. Management of residual risk. Conflict of objective during implementation of procedures. Situatively adjusted approach. Handling driftwood. Surface runoff. Examples of projects in Switzerland. Case studies (group work). Field trip.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Flood protection script

Literature

Guidelines of Swiss federal administration (especially Federal Office for the Environment, FOEN)

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC , NDS
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

The total grade comprises:- a written examination (without auxiliary means) at the end of the semester, and- a graded group work (case study), documented within a short technical reportBoth the written examination and the group work have to be passed (grade 4.0 or higher) to successfully complete the course.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Flood Protection Former title until FS23 (in German): Hochwasserschutz Some lectures or the offered excursion may be still in German; however, the course can be passed without knowledge in German.	Tue 09:45-11:30 (HIL E 6)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Civil Engineering Master
- Major Courses
  - Major in Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management
- Project Based Courses
Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems Master
- Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection. The students have themselves to check whether they meet the admission requirements for a course.)
  - Recommended Electives of Master Degree Programme
- Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2009)
  - Major Courses
    - Major in Spatial and Landscape Development
Environmental Engineering Master
- Majors
  - Major River and Hydraulic Engineering
    - Compulsory Modules
      - Hydraulic Engineering
- Elective Modules (For all majors.)
  - EM: Hydraulic Engineering (Elective Module for Majors "Environmental Technologies", "Resource Management", " Urban Water Management" and "Water Resources Management".)
MAS in Sustainable Water Resources (The Master of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Water Resources is a 12 month full time postgraduate diploma programme. The focus of the programme is on issues of sustainability and water resources in Latin America, with special attention given to the impacts of development and climate change on water resources. The programme combines multidisciplinary coursework with high level research. Sample research topics include: water quality, water quantity, water for agriculture, water for the environment, adaptation to climate change, and integrated water resource management. Language: English. Credit hours: 66 ECTS. For further information please visit: )
- Elective Courses (Electives: 6 credits has to be achieved.)