HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES IN THE ATTERT RIVER BASIN
(GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG)
Pfister L.1, El Idrissi A.1, Hofmann H. 2,Iffly J-F. 1,Kies A. 2,
Matgen P. 1, Salvia M1,Hoffmann L. 1
Centre de Recherche Public – Gabriel Lippmann, Cellule de Recherche en Environnement
et Biotechnologies, 162a avenue de la Faïencerie, L-1511 Luxembourg
2
Centre Universitaire – Laboratoire Physique des Radiations, 162a avenue de la Faïencerie,
L-1511 Luxembourg
1
Since 1995 a dense hydro-climatological observation network has been set up in the Attert
river basin. The hydrological cycle is studied on various spatial scales, from less than 0.5 km2
up to 310 km2. The embedded approach to the study of the hydrological processes, helps to
evaluate the impact of the very heterogeneous physiographical properties of the Attert basin
on the rainfall-runoff relationship.
The present paper focuses on the research that is currently done in the Huewelerbach basin, a
sub-basin of the Attert of 2.7 km2. Located in the western part of the Grand-Duchy of
Luxembourg, this micro basin is characterised mainly by a sandstone substratum and a 94%
forested cover.
The observation network in the Huewelerbach basin includes 5 streamgauges, 1
meteorological station (measuring rainfall, relative humidity, temperature, solar radiation,
wind direction and wind speed), 5 automatic samplers, 25 piezometric wells and 5 automatic
radon samplers.
Investigations are focusing on various aspects of the hydrological cycle:
 hydrological balance
 hydrograph separation (including spatial and temporal origin of streamwater)
 rainfall interception
 surface water – groundwater relationship
 hydrological and hydraulic modelling
Intense measurement campaigns are organised during summer and winter rain events, in order
to get a detailed view of the ongoing hydrological processes in the Huewelerbach basin, as
well as of their seasonal variability.
The collected data and knowledge on the hydrological processes in the Huewelerbach basin
will further on be used to calibrate various hydrological and hydraulic models.