Monday, 12 January 2004: 1:30 PM
Flash Flood Forecasting in Urban Drainage Basins (INVITED)
Room 6E
Flash flooding in urban drainage basins is controlled by the
interplay of a wide range of hydrologic, hydraulic and
hydrometeorological processes. From the hydrometeorological
perspective, the distribution of extreme rainfall rates at
``short" time scales and ``small" spatial scales is of fundamental
importance for flash flooding. Measurement of extreme rainfall
rates by weather radar at the appropriate time and space scales
is the cornerstone of flash flood forecasting. The particular
technical issues that arise in addressing this problem will be
examined. Hydrologic modeling for flash flood forecasting is
complicated in urban drainage basins by alterations to the
drainage network, especially through the storm drain system of
an urban drainage basin, and alterations to the infiltration
properties of a basin, especially through detention basins and
impervious cover. Representation of the dominant hydrologic processes
controlling flash flood response is a major challenge for advances in
hydrologic modeling in urban drainage basins. The hydraulic properties
of urban stream channels are profoundly influenced by bridges, channelized
reaches, channel stabilization projects and development of floodplains.
Hydraulic properties of an urban stream channel are also
altered by the river itself as it adapts to changing hydrologic response
of a drainage basin. These alterations to the
hydraulic properties of urban stream channels play an important role
in determining the flood hazards of an urban drainage basin.
Enhanced hydraulic modeling capabilities are needed for determining
the propagation of flood waves through urban stream channels and
the extent of inundation for a given discharge.
Examples are drawn from a number of urban
drainage basins in the United States, with special focus on the
Baltimore metropolitan region.
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