Simulating Flash Floods in Small Rivers of the Northern Caucasus with the Use of Data of Automated Hydrometeorological Network

Abstract

Examples are given for numerical modeling of rain-induced flash floods in mountain areas based on actual and forecast data on precipitation. The calculated hydrographs are compared with the data of hydrometeorological network and calculations of other authors. Two hydrological models were applied: STREAM 2D CUDA, based on numerical solution of the shallow water equations in a two-dimensional (horizontal) formulation using an original algorithm, and KW-GIUH―a Geomorphological Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph model, based on kinematic wave equation. The direct numerical simulation of level regimes at the passage of flood wave and the incorporation of the accumulation of a part of flood flow by reservoirs–traps in the dynamic regime are new scientific results in hydrology. It is concluded that both models can be effectively used to forecast rain floods, in case reliable data on precipitation are available.