Ann Univ Ferrara (2007) 53:405–415 DOI 10.1007/s11565-007-0028-7 Tribalj dam-break and flood wave propagation Luka Sopta · Senka Ma´ ceši´ c · Danko Holjevi´ c · Nelida ˇ Crnjari´ c-Žic · Jerko Škifi´ c · Siniša Družeta · Bojan Crnkovi´ c Received: 29 October 2005 / Accepted: 20 November 2006 / Published online: 17 October 2007 © Università degli Studi di Ferrara 2007 Abstract In this paper we present numerical simulations for the dam-break flood wave propagation from Tribalj accumulation to the town of Crikvenica (Croatia). The mathematical models we used were the one-dimensional open channel flow and the two-dimensional shallow water equations. They were solved with the well-balanced finite volume numerical schemes which additionally include special numerical treat- ment of the wetting/drying front boundary. These schemes were tested on CADAM test problems. The aim of this study was to assess potential damage in the village of Tribalj and the town of Crikvenica. Results of these simulations were used as the basis for urban planning and micro-zoning of the flood-risk areas. Several different L. Sopta · S. Ma´ ceši´ c · N. ˇ Crnjari´ c-Žic (B ) · J. Škifi´ c · S. Družeta · B. Crnkovi´ c University of Rijeka, Vukovarska 58, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: nelida@riteh.hr L. Sopta e-mail: luka.sopta@riteh.hr S. Ma´ ceši´ c e-mail: senka.vukovic@ri.t-com.hr J. Škifi´ c e-mail: jerko.skific@riteh.hr S. Družeta e-mail: sinisa.druzeta@riteh.hr B. Crnkovi´ c e-mail: bojan.crnkovic@riteh.hr D. Holjevi´ c Croatioan Waters, Djure Šporera 3, Croatia e-mail: dholjev@voda.hr 123