The Glatzbach-catchment as a test area for runoff models in the alpine area of the Central Alps in Austria.

An extensive knowledge of the hydrological conditions of a catchment area represents the basis for the design of flood protection measures and for hazard zoning. Heavy rainfall in combination with snowmelt may cause extreme runoff with the peak runoff already built up at the highest catchment. The main objectives of the project are: the analysis of the precipitation - runoff and the sediment discharge measuring series. The extension of the precipitation - runoff data in subalpine catchments to snowmelt and heavy rainfall in summer. The investigation of the influence of alpine vegetation plants and the correlated soil on the precipitation - runoff relation. The observation and analysis of the runoff process in two different subchatchments with reference to the entire catchment area. The estimation of the denudation rates in the entire catchment as well as in the subchatchments in connection with the runoff data. The comparison of the observed values with those of other subalpine areas.