Modelling-based methodological approach to assess the effect of urbanization on hydrology and runoff water quality: a case of study for tropical and dry regions
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2025

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Pascual Ferrans1, Javier Temprano2
1Doctoral School, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, 48940, Spain pferrans001@ikasle.ehu.eus.
Abstract:
It is necessary to have unified tools and methodologies for the correct understanding and quantification of urbanization effects on watershed hydrology. This study presents a modelling-based methodology developed on EPA SWMM to evaluate the effect of urbanization in conceptual watersheds using meteorological data from cities in Spain and Colombia. Results show that the effect of urbanization is significant in variables such as runoff volume, peak flow and pollutant loads, increasing these indicators in all cases. Furthermore, this effect has different dynamics for the regions evaluated. Overall, Colombian cities presented higher runoff volumes, peak flows and pollutant loads, while Spanish cities presented higher variability in these variables due to urbanization. The analysis allowed to cluster the cities within each country, using as criteria the modelled hydrological behaviour. A curve fitting procedure presented high performance rates for all the variables studied.
Related Concept Videos
Typical Model Studies
Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Modeling and Similitude
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Design Example: Design of an Irrigation Channel
Precipitation Processes

