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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Application of flood hazard assessment for decision-making in the White Volta Basin, Ghana
Samuel Owusu Ansah1,2, Yakob Umer3, Thompson Annor1
1Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
Abstract:
Flooding is a major natural hazard in Ghana, with the White Volta Basin (WVB) highly susceptible due to flat terrain, intense rainfall, and upstream dam releases. The September 2020 flood, caused by heavy rainfall and Bagre Dam spillage, inundated croplands and settlements, revealing the need for impact-based flood intelligence. This study uses the Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System to simulate flood dynamics and assess cropland exposure. Calibration and validation with Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar-derived flood extent showed strong spatial agreement (61-77%). A composite flood hazard index, combining water depth and velocity, classified hazard intensity into seven levels, linking hydraulic severity with crop impacts. The framework guides community-level early warning and preparedness, supporting decision-making by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Water Resources Commission (WRC), and Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet). High-risk areas included Bawku West (22.7%), Binduri (15.1%), and Talensi (6.1%), aiding climate-resilient planning in transboundary basins.
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