Floods modeling and analysis for Dubai using HEC-HMS model and remote sensing using GIS.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Hydrology
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Urban floods pose significant risks to infrastructure in developed cities.
• An integrated approach combining remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and precipitation data is crucial for infrastructure protection.
• Understanding the relationship between urban runoff and impervious surfaces is key to flood mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an integrated model for estimating event-based runoff in urban areas.
• To investigate the correlation between impervious surfaces and flood occurrence probability.
• To assess the efficiency of a novel approach combining HEC-GeoRAS and satellite imagery for urban flood modeling.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC-GeoRAS) integrated with satellite imagery.
• Employed Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) incorporating precipitation, slope, soil type, and land use/land cover data.
• Calibrated and validated the model using historical runoff events, comparing observed and simulated streamflow and peak discharge.

Main Results:

• Identified Deira, Nief, and Jumeirah subbasins as having the largest impervious areas, indicating a higher flood occurrence probability.
• The integrated model demonstrated efficiency in estimating event-based runoff.
• The model's predictions were validated against previous studies, showing good agreement.

Conclusions:

• The developed integrated model is effective for assessing urban flood risks, particularly in regions with significant impervious surfaces.
• The approach provides a valuable tool for urban infrastructure protection and flood management strategies.
• This methodology can be replicated in similar urban environments facing flood hazards.