On-line river flow forecasting with ‘Hydromax’ : successes and challenges after twelve years of experience ?

“Hydromax” is the river flow forecasting system for the early warning of extreme hydrological events (floods as well as low waters) in the Meuse river basin and its tributaries. Hydromax provides in real-time short-term predictions of river flows based on past rainfall and river flow measurements, and long-term flood forecasting based on meteorological forecasts. It is now successfully in routine operation for more than twelve years. The purpose of this communication is to give a general description of Hydromax and to report on its performance with typical experimental examples and statistical assessments.