J. Int. Environmental Application & Science, Vol. 15(4):216-223 (2020) Research Paper 216 Flood Forecasting in the Western Lowland of Albania with Application of the Hydrological Modelling Klodian Zaimi ∗ , Orjeta Jaupaj Institute of GeoSciences Energy Water and Environment, Tirana, Albania Received December 07, 2020; Accepted December 30, 2020 Abstract: Floods are natural disasters with more consequences in Albania. The most risked areas, from river floods, lie mainly in the western lowlands of the country. These areas, which are mainly areas with agricultural development, are very important in the economic development of Albania. Historically, the hydrological forecast in Albania has been based on observations of the upstream of rivers. These methods do not provide the time needed for flood management because floods rutting time to the flood plain is relatively short, due to the large slope and short rivers. Only in the last decade, more advanced techniques have been used to forecast floods, including hydrological modelling. Analysis of the present status and existing methods, in flood forecasting, is necessary to determine where the forecasting system should be improved. Determination, if there will be flooding, is related to the flood hydrograph forecast in the river sections, which are of interest. Increased flood forecasting time can be performed with the help of HEC-HMS hydrological modelling and meteorological model ICON-EU. The hydrological model used as input daily hydrometeorological observed data for precipitation and temperature in the period 1990-2018. The hydrological historical data in the period 1990-2008 was used for calibrating the model. Flood forecasting has as its main objective information in time to the authorities, or the population to take precautions measures, and to be prepared in case the forecast on the likelihood of a flood, including the size and timing of the event, at key locations of watercourses. Keywords: hydrological model, flood forecasting, hydrograph, discharge Introduction In many parts of the world, flooding can have devastating consequences for society, the economy, and the environment. On average, around 21 million people worldwide are affected by river floods each year. The effects of floods are particularly severe in developing or low-income countries, due to their vulnerability to these phenomena (Luo, 2015). The most risked areas, from river floods, lie mainly in the western lowlands of Albania. These areas, which are mainly areas with agricultural development, are very important in the economic development of Albania. Demographic movements after the 1990s have increased population density, and expanding urban constructions in these areas, increasing the risk of flood damage. To analyse floods, it is necessary to identify areas that are historically flooded, based on historical data. It is also known that these areas have major infrastructural interventions for flood protection. Successful flood management requires the application of modern engineering methods, which prepare and protect against floods, and minimize losses related to human life and health, environmental damage, cultural assets, and economic activity of the affected community. River floods in Albania occur in the wet season of the year, from October to May, while the rest of the year is mainly affected by flash floods, which occur in the upper parts of the basins after storms, and are characterized by short duration. In Albania, the river floods, have a duration from daily up to more than two-week, in the biggest rivers. In the lower parts, the floods come out of the riverbanks, causing a lot of economic damage, and threatening life to the population living in the areas of the flood plain. The first river flood protections, as a wide range of investments, in Albania, began after the historic floods of 1962-1963 (IHM, 1984). Information on the position of the flood protection infrastructure is needed to assess the risk of flooding. Historically, the hydrological forecast in our country has been based on observations of the upstream of rivers. These methods do not provide the time needed for flood management because floods rutting time to the flood plain is relatively short, due to the large slope and short rivers. Only in the last decade, more advanced techniques have been used to forecast floods, including hydrological modelling. Analysis of the present status and existing methods, in flood *Corresponding: E-Mail: klodianzaimi@yahoo.com; Tel: 00355672155234;