Methodology for surface water flood modelling based on analysis of digital elevation model and hydrological data

Abstract

A methodology for surface water flood modelling is proposed, based on the use of small-scale mapping tools together with hydrological observation data. To reproduce the flooding surface during extreme floods, information on historical maximum water levels was selected, and a digital elevation model (DEM) was used as the cartographic basis. The proposed methodology is universal and provides possibility to determine the boundaries of the potential flooding area in river sections during extreme water levels, to identify objects in the potential flooding area, as well as to make operational decisions to prevent disastrous situations arising from floods and minimize adverse consequences. The results of application of the proposed method for certain river sections of the North Caucasus, a region characterized by a high degree of flood hazard, are presented.