Dams' latest advancements effectively curbed floods during historic rainfall, as stated by K-water.
In the face of a relentless 2023 monsoon season, the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) has employed digital twin technology as a crucial tool for real-time flood management, thereby ensuring public safety amidst increasing climate-driven extreme weather events.
This innovative technology constructs a virtual, dynamic 3D replica of dams and surrounding river environments by integrating real-time data from various sources, including sensors, CCTV, rainfall measurements, dam discharge, and river levels. This digital twin system allows K-water to achieve three key objectives:
1. Real-time visualization and prediction of flood risk zones downstream, enabling precise assessment of which urban areas or infrastructure might be submerged during extreme rainfall events.
2. Adaptive floodgate and spillway management, as operators can simulate different scenarios, fine-tuning discharge volumes to maximize storage capacity while minimizing downstream flood risk, even when rainfall exceeds dam design limits.
3. Improved coordination and decision-making via a data-driven framework that enhances cooperation with other relevant agencies for robust flood response throughout the flood season.
This cutting-edge technology was put to the test during the intense monsoon, as average rainfall exceeded 665 mm—more than double the historical average—yet strategic use of digital twin-based control helped prevent catastrophic flooding downstream.
The system's ability to integrate diverse real-time data streams and simulate flood dynamics underpins K-water’s advanced flood control, making it a vital asset in Korea's flood management arsenal.
In the early hours of July 17, the Namgang Dam faced an inflow of 16,951 cubic meters per second, which is 1.6 times its maximum threshold. Despite this extreme inflow, Namgang Dam released only 22 percent of its water, retaining the rest with the help of a digital twin system. Meanwhile, Boryeong Dam, which received a total of 383 millimeters of rainfall, held out without releasing water for 13 hours from 2 a.m. on July 17.
By securing 6.84 billion cubic meters of reservoir capacity ahead of Korea's rainy season, K-water managed to mitigate downstream flooding despite rainfall exceeding dam design capacities in some regions. As of 7 a.m., Monday, the 20 multipurpose dams had secured a flood control capacity of 5.1 billion cubic meters. This was achieved by securing additional water storage capacity, capitalizing on technologies like digital twins, and responding to torrential rain.
The digital twin system's effectiveness was also evident at Juam Dam in South Jeolla Province, where it experienced a peak inflow of over 2,430 cubic meters per second. Juam Dam received up to 387 millimeters of collective rainfall. Water was released from Boryeong Dam from 3 p.m. on July 17 until midnight on July 20, while key dam facilities in North and South Chungcheong provinces and the southern region, such as Yongdam Dam, Daecheong Dam, Juam Dam, Hapcheon Dam, and Miryang Dam, retained all their water.
In conclusion, digital twin technology allows K-water to digitally replicate and monitor dam systems and river basins in real time, enabling dynamic flood forecasting, risk visualization, and optimized control of dam operations to mitigate flooding during heavy rainfall events. The corporation's strategic use of this technology has proven instrumental in navigating Korea's record-breaking monsoon season.
Science has played a significant role in Korea's flood management efforts, with environmental science particularly notable as it pertains to understanding the impact of climate-change on extreme weather events such as the 2023 monsoon season. Technology, such as the digital twin system employed by the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), has been crucial in monitoring and managing these situations in real-time, providing valuable insights for flood prediction, risk visualization, and optimized dam operations.
