Estimating flood susceptibility based on GIS and remote sensing. Case study: Hydrographic Basin of Crisul Alb river

Abstract

Floods, rapid-onset phenomena, are considered some of the most destructive hydrogeomorphological events, which severely affect, or even destroy the areas where they occur. Based on this consideration, numerous methods and procedures for analysis, mapping, and monitoring have been developed over time to identify flood-vulnerable areas. In this context, the present study aims to apply a model of complex spatial analysis, based on GIS, Remote Sensing, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to identify flood-prone areas in the hydrographic basin of Crisul Alb. Ten parameters were considered in spatial modeling, regarded as the main factors triggering or sustaining floods: terrain topography, elevation, slope, precipitation amounts, land use pattern, distance to rivers, distance to roads, drainage density, and soils. The research results, expressed through the flood susceptibility map of the Crisul Alb Hydrographic Basin, showed that 3% of the area has a low susceptibility degree, 55% a moderate degree, 41% a high degree, and 1% a very high degree. Models estimating the susceptibility of the territory to floods are essential in hydrographic basins management strategies and in actions for prevention and mitigation of the effects of these highly destructive phenomena.