Wavelet analysis of hydrological signals on an example of the River Sava

Spectral analysis and wavelet analysis of successive flood waves on the basis of measured water levels help to understand hydrological processes and to improve hydrological modeling. In this paper, we compare Fourier transform, short time Fourier transform and continuous wavelet transforms to describe behavior of River Sava. Urban, agricultural and nature protected areas in the Republic of Croatia are under considerable influence of floods caused by the River Sava. Better understanding of the temporal patterns of the hydrological signals (discharge, water - level) is an important contribution to the water management of the River Sava.