Evaluation of alternatives to optimize the flood management in the department of Valle del Cauca

In order to optimize the flood management in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, several measures that intend to give back space to the Cauca River were proposed and evaluated. The considered measures were the relocation of dykes, the construction of double dykes, the construction of reservoirs in tributary rivers, the implementation of polders and the construction of parallel channels to the Cauca River. The impact of the proposed measures was determined through mathematical modeling. The selection of the measures that would generate the greatest benefits was done through the evaluation of technical, environmental, economic and social aspects. According to the obtained results, the scenario that simultaneously considers the relocation of dykes to 60 m from the Cauca River, the construction of reservoirs in the rivers Timba, Riofrio and Bugalagrande and the construction of five polders in the floodplain would allow the most proper management of the floods.