Estimation and evaluation on the return period of flash flood for small mountainous watersheds in the Han River basin

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to estimate the return period of flash flood and evaluate its appropriateness based on the actual observation events for small mountainous watersheds in the Han River basin. For these goals, Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) was estimated from 1-hr duration Threshold Runoff (TR) and Saturation Deficit (SD) of soil moisture which was derived from Sejong University Rainfall Runoff (SURR) model. Then, the return period of flash flood was calculated by comparing the rainfall quantile to the 1-hr duration rainfall that exceeded the FFG during the past period (2002-2010). Moreover, the appropriateness of the estimated return period of flash flood was evaluated by using the observation events from 2011 to 2016. The results of the return period of flash flood ranged from 1.1 to 19.9 years with a mean and a standard deviation of 1.6 and 1.1 years, respectively. Also, the result of the appropriateness indicated that 83% of the return periods derived from observation events were within the return period of flash flood range. Therefore, the estimated return period of flash flood could be considered as highly appropriate.