Flooding Urban Landscapes: Analysis Using Combined Hydrodynamic and Hydrologic Modeling Approaches

Abstract

The frequency and severity of floods have been found to increase in recent decades, which have adverse effects on the environment, economics, and human lives. The catastrophe of such floods can be confronted with the advance prediction of floods and reliable analyses methods. This study developed a combined flood modeling system for the prediction of floods, and analysis of associated vulnerabilities on urban infrastructures. The application of the method was tested on the Blue River urban watershed in Missouri, USA, a watershed of historical significance for flood impacts and abundance of data availability for such analyses. The combined modeling system included two models: hydrodynamic model HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center—River Analysis System) and hydrologic model SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). The SWAT model was developed for the watershed to predict time-series hydrograph data at desired locations, followed by the setup of HEC-RAS model for the analysis and prediction of flood extent. Both models were calibrated and validated independently using the observed data. The well-calibrated modeling setup was used to assess the extent of impacts of the hazard by identifying the flood risk zones and threatened critical infrastructures in flood zones through inundation mapping. Results demonstrate the usefulness of such combined modeling systems to predict the extent of flood inundation and thus support analyses of management strategies to deal with the risks associated with critical infrastructures in an urban setting. This approach will ultimately help with the integration of flood risk assessment information in the urban planning process.

Search Space Reduction for Genetic Algorithms Applied to Drainage Network Optimization Problems

“…The equation was presented in a work developed by Mora-Melia et al [36]. N = ϕ N DV (6) where N represents the population, N DV represents the number of DVs, and φ is a constant with a value equal to 2. To give the model an element of diversity, a mutation probability is defined, which is established in Equation ( 7) by Mora-Melia et al in a previous work [36].…”

“…During the last few decades, cities have experienced a constant process of growth, which has reduced the green areas that surround them, replacing them with highly impermeable surfaces. These factors have led many cities to appreciate the increase in surface runoff, and in many cases, the collapse of their drainage systems [4][5][6]. These problems make it necessary to improve the functioning of the drainage networks to restore security to the cities.…”

Multi-Variable SWAT Model Calibration Using Satellite-Based Evapotranspiration Data and Streamflow

“…The complexity of spatially distributed model applications in mixed land-use watersheds (i.e., blended combinations of land use) has been explored in past studies [19][20][21][22][23]. Nevertheless, the use of remote sensing data for hydrological model calibration in mixed land-use watersheds has not yet been thoroughly analysed.…”

Using Trend Extraction and Spatial Trends to Improve Flood Modeling and Control

“…These profiles are often created through multiagency cooperation efforts such as [6]. Some studies have begun to generate dynamic flood inundation data visualizations based on these profiles [7].…”