The contribution of watershed management to the integrated flood protection of the Athens basin. An example: the torrent of Chalandri

摘要

The Athens basin along with the nearby massifs constitutes a single geomorphological entity, consisting of four mountains (Egaleo, Parnetha, Penteli, Hymettus) arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, with maximum altitudes ranging between 468 m and 1400 m, and of lowlands beginning at the foot of the mountains and stretching out to the sea. These mountains however are mostly deforested, due to fires or man-made influences. Thus, the geomorphological singularity of area, assisted by lack of vegetation, results in the creation of an intensely torrential environment, in spite of the fact that the relief is not very intense, the geological base is fairly resistant and annual precipitation depth is not high. Needless to say that the solution of the problem requires full management of all the torrents that contribute to its occurrence. One of the main categories of watershed management works in mountainous basins are technical works with the use of plants. These works, which lead to the partial recovery, often neglected in our country, usually serve more purposes than that of protection simply (aesthetics, recreation, etc.). The present paper investigates the effects of watershed management of the torrents' drainage basins on the prevention of the flood problem in Athens, using as an example the basin of the Chalandri torrent, Subsequently, by extending the conclusions of the research to the rest of the currents in the broader area, light is shed on the overall contribution of watershed management to the integrated flood protection of the basin.