Abstract
The Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCSCN) is a hydrological parameter used to describe storm water runoff potential for drainage areas and it is a function of Landuse, Hydrological Soil Groups (HSGs) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This study described how to estimate the SCS CN and Potential Maximum Soil Water Retention (PMSWR) to delineate flood prone areas. The study was carried out in the Accra Metropolitan Area which lies in the dry savannah coastal zone of the southern part of Ghana and is approximately 5º 33 ́ 00 ́ ́ N of the Equator and 0º 12 ́ 00 ́ ́ W of the Greenwich Meridian. The HSGs, Land use and DEM were used to generate the SCS CN and the PMSWR of the study area. The results of the SCS CN, PMSWR and slope maps indicated areas with high runoff potential and areas prone to flooding during storms. This study proved that the PMSWR and SCS CN values are important hydrological parameters to determine areas of high runoff potential and thus delineating flood prone areas.
Highlights
In Accra and most urban settlements in Ghana, provision of infrastructural facilities has substantially lagged behind the rapid rate of housing development
Metropolis using a spatial hydrological modeling approach based on Potential Maximum Soil Water Retention (PMSWR) and Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS Curve number (CN))
Methods used: Flood prone areas were delineated from the study area using SCS CN and PMSWR
Summary
In Accra and most urban settlements in Ghana, provision of infrastructural facilities has substantially lagged behind the rapid rate of housing development. Erosion of steep slope areas and pollution of streams by waste discharges have been identified as the major environmental problems facing the city These problems are interrelated in that, flooding is caused by inadequate drainage systems and accumulation of solid waste deposited in streams. The main streets of Accra are paved and most of the land in the catchment has been developed with hard surfaces such as roof tops and paved areas very small part of the catchment has capacity to retain water These contribute to rapid surface runoff during storms. The amount of storm water runoff has increased several times in the last two decades as a result of increased residential, commercial and infrastructure developments Due to these factors and more, very small part of the catchment has capacity to retain water and contribute to rapid surface runoff (Sam, 2009). Metropolis using a spatial hydrological modeling approach based on Potential Maximum Soil Water Retention (PMSWR) and Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS CN)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
