Improving the navigability of the Lower Old Danube in Romania

The Danube has been designated a Priority Axis, a pan-European inland transport link from the port of Rotterdam on the North Sea to the port of Constanta on the Black Sea. In Romania, the Danube covers 1075 kilometres from its point of entry at Bazias to the mouth at Sulina. Several studies have been conducted in recent years and recommendations have been made to improve the navigation conditions on the Danube between Calarasi and Braila. The aim of the present project is to evaluate alternatives for improving navigability. In order to provide sound recommendations, we developed two different models: a detailed 3D hydrodynamic model for the Bala bifurcation, and a large-scale quasi-3D morphodynamic model for the Danube branches. The models were used to simulate and analyse two scenarios for improving navigability by comparison with the benchmark condition.