Rainfall Flooding in Urban Areas in the Context of Geomorphological Aspects

Tomasz Walczykiewicz,Magdalena Skonieczna

doi:10.3390/geosciences10110457

Tomasz Walczykiewicz, Magdalena Skonieczna

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10110457

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Journal: Geosciences	Publication Date: Nov 12, 2020
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Institute of Meteorology and Water Management

Abstract

Flooding risk in urban areas is particularly high, due to the high population density and property values, including those of transport, residential, service and industrial infrastructure, among others. There are many reasons for flooding in urban areas; among them, direct heavy rainfall can cause special problems in risk management. In the case of random heavy rainfall, flood risk management can be supported by information about the morphology of the terrain and the degree of its sealing. In this study, we analyse methods for determining the risk of flooding in urban areas using digital terrain model (DTM) and geographic information system (GIS) tools. Predictors of precipitation floods in urban areas are defined, including the determination of flat areas, areas without outflow (non-drainage) and with large terrain height differences. The main source of information about historical rainfall floods relates to interventions by fire brigades, which constitute the basis for verifying the areas of occurrence of rainfall floods, as determined on the basis of morphological analysis of the area. Identifying the locations of rainfall flooding areas and developing accurate maps based on them are crucial for spatial planning and flood management at the local scale.

Highlights

Geomorphological conditions have a significant impact on land development
The results of the analysis indicated that rainfall floods prevailed in the southern and south-western parts of Poland
We propose the concept of two groups of independent area predictors related to the topography

Summary

Introduction

Geomorphological conditions have a significant impact on land development. They define the limits of the possibility of surface exploitation through both the morphological and morphometric features of the relief forms and the risk of erosion and accumulation processes [1]. A characteristic phenomenon in urbanized areas is urban flooding, which often occurs in places with high rainfall or in adjacent lower areas. This type of flood often occurs without any element of the hydrographic network, sometimes in places where no element of the network has ever existed. The causes of this phenomenon are related to the occurrence of rain at a specific capacity or intensity but, above all, to the progressive sealing of urbanized surfaces [2,3] and the topography.

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Conclusion