International Commission for the Protection of the Elbe River ∙ ICPER

ALAMO

Elbe Alarm Model

The ALAMO is a forecasting model for the spread of pollutant waves in the Elbe. In case of accidental water pollution, this model can forecast the arrival time, the duration as well as the maximum concentration of a pollutant wave at Elbe profiles downstream of the place of the accident. The forecast allows the affected downstream riparians to take timely measures in order to avoid or minimise consequential losses.

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In the year 2004 the Elbe Alarm Model (ALAMO) was integrated into the IWAPE. In March 2008 the new version of the model was completed. By the end of 2016 this model will be expanded to the tributaries Vltava and Saale. 

The ALAMO is a forecasting model for the spread of pollutant waves in the Elbe. In case of accidental water pollution, this model can forecast the arrival time, the duration as well as the maximum concentration of a pollutant wave at Elbe profiles downstream of the place of the accident. The forecast allows the affected downstream riparians to take timely measures in order to avoid or minimise consequential losses.

The most important outputs of the model are:

  • the maximum pollutant concentration in the longitudinal profile of the Elbe,
  • the pollutant concentration for various profiles over time,
  • the graphic display of the movement of the pollutant waves.