Modelling a coastal lake for flood and quality management

This paper assesses the ecological situation of the Massaciuccoli lake on the Tyrrhenian coast, central Italy, and the surrounding areas, which are part of a regional natural park. Like many coastal ecosystems, this is a particularly fragile environment where it is difficult to reconcile agricultural land use and environmental protection. The paper describes a volume/quality model of the lake and its tributaries to be integrated in a Decision Support System to manage the water diversion from a nearby river (Serchio). The consequences of this abstraction are assessed from the quantity and quality viewpoints.