Increasing geohydrological instability in a valley of the Italian Central Alps: a study in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Riverbed deepening, waterway shortening, and forced narrowing are among the most relevant consequences of the anthropic disturbance of alpine rivers over the last few centuries. A map was generated through a detailed study of the Adda Valley, a famous valley in the Central Alps, northern Italy. This study was conducted to evaluate the anthropization status, geomorphological patterns (in terms of altimetric and planimetric riverbed variation), evolutionary trends, and flood hazards of the river over the last 150 years. The map presents the expansion of urban and industrial areas that occurred before and after one of the most devastating floods in Adda Valley. Supporting both the identification of potentially vulnerable areas and the possible effects of damaging floods, the map provides information for improved evaluation of the vulnerability of bottom valley areas after anthropogenic modification and for identifying the damaging effects of past flood events, which could recur.