The Scale of the Expected Largest Maximum High Water Discharges on the Rivers of Eastern Georgia

Abstract

Based on a 70–100-year empirical series of stationary observations from 27 principal hydrological stations on the rivers of Eastern Georgia up to 2023, the probable maximum discharges of high waters have been estimated for exceedance probabilities of 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%. These correspond to recurrence intervals of approximately 10,000, 1,000, 100, 60, 20, 10, and 5 years, respectively. The derived data provide a valuable resource for scientific, economic, and engineering applications, and should be utilised by relevant organisations for water management calculations. They are essential for the planning and design of hydraulic, civil, and industrial infrastructure—including roads, bridges, pipelines, and communication facilities—located along rivers and within their coastal zones. Moreover, these data underpin the substantiation of technical and economic parameters of such projects. The application of these findings will contribute significantly to enhancing the safety of populations, infrastructure, and the environment, thereby reducing the risks of structural damage, environmental degradation, and potential casualties associated with high-water events.