Flow Discharge Research Articles

Dynamic optimal lane management strategy for multi-lane urban expressway with bi-class connected vehicles

Traffic flow mobility on expressway plays an important role in urban development. With the emergent technologies, connected vehicles, including both connected automated vehicles (CAVs) and connected regular vehicles (CRVs), are equipped with connectivity features to improve efficiency of urban expressway in a mixed traffic scenario. Existing research indicates that without targeted management, the integration of CAVs and CRVs into regular vehicles (RVs) traffic can lead to a series of congestion issues. A potential solution lies in the implementation of dedicated lanes, each designated for specific vehicle types, which could alleviate traffic flow complications. Therefore, this paper proposes a dynamic optimal lane management strategy for multi-lane mixed traffic urban expressway, aimed at maximizing the whole discharge flow. To begin with, we present an analytical method to mathematically derive discharge flow of each lane type including mixed traffic lane, CAV/CRV dedicated lane, and RV dedicated lane, from the perspective of both traffic demand and traffic capacity. Then, taking a three-lane mixed traffic urban expressway as an application, we conduct a numerical analysis of the dynamic optimal lane management strategy, based on comparisons among eight distinct strategies, under varying factors of traffic demands, penetration rates of CAVs and CRVs, and allocation proportions of vehicles upstream assigned to mixed traffic lanes. The results validate the effectiveness of the analytical method proposed for lane management strategies. It also indicates that the aforementioned system factors have significant impacts on the dynamic optimal lane management strategy.

Effects of Different Spatial Distributions of Vegetation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of Overland Flow

ABSTRACTVegetation plays a crucial role in mitigating and controlling soil erosion caused by overland flow. However, variations in the hydraulic characteristics of overland flow induced by the spatial distribution of vegetation with different row and column spacings are often overlooked in existing literature, potentially leading to significant deviations in predicting these characteristics. In this study, 180 lab‐scale runoff tests were conducted to clarify the hydraulic characteristics of overland flow considering six α (the ratio of the lateral distance of vegetation to stem diameter) levels, six β (the ratio of the slope distance of vegetation to stem diameter) levels, and three slope angles (θ) under five flow discharges (Q) conditions. The results show that the observed flow regime of overland flow belongs to the transition flow regions, shifting from slow to rapid as α and/or β increase. The friction coefficient and the proportion of frictional resistance in the total flow resistance increase with increasing α and β. The local resistance dominates the total flow resistance of bare glass slopes. The local resistance coefficient ξ decreases with increasing α and β, however, it initially increases and then decreases with increasing θ. The impact of β on the local resistance is greater for gentle slopes, whereas the impact of α is more significant for steep slopes. ξ exhibits a negative correlation with Re and the ξ‐Re curves gradually level off as α or β increases, while they become steeper with increasing θ. A prediction model for the total flow resistance was established taking into account the combined effects of Re, α, β and θ, which provides better prediction performance than two other relevant models. The results obtained from this study provide valuable insights into the hydraulic characteristics of overland flow and offer clear guidance for vegetation management in controlling soil erosion on slopes with heterogeneous vegetation coverage.

Validation of Soil Detachment Rate Equations on Spring Thaw Period Slopes: Insights From Sediment Concentration and Transport Capacity

AbstractSoil detachment plays a central role in the formulation of soil erosion models, particularly for the simulation and prediction of erosion in cold climates during the thaw period. This research attempts to elucidate the mechanisms of soil detachment on spring thaw period slopes through comprehensive flume experiments, coupled with the application of rare earth element (REE) tracer, investigating the relationships between soil detachment rates, sediment concentration and sediment transport capacity. Observations indicate a nuanced response of soil detachment rate and sediment concentration to scour duration, characterized by an initial increase, subsequent decrease and eventual equilibrium. As thaw depth increases, the primary source of eroded sediment gradually shifts from the upper slope to the mid‐slope. Soil detachment rate was affected by sediment concentration, flow discharge, slope gradient, thawing depth, and slope positions. Furthermore, our analysis reveals a power function relationship (R2 = 0.846) between soil detachment rate, effective shear stress, and sediment transport rate and capacity. These results provide valuable insights into the modeling and prediction of soil erosion processes on brown soil slopes subjected to spring thaw period cycles.

Deciphering the grain size fining and provenance variation of lower Yellow River fluvial sediments in light of Holocene climatic changes and anthropogenic influences

The dynamics of fluvial processes in the lower Yellow River during the warm Early and Middle Holocene can serve as an analogue for future global warming, thus providing a scientific basis for addressing contemporary river issues. However, the Early and Middle Holocene riverbed sediments in the lower Yellow River have rarely been investigated. Here, we conducted detrital zircon UPb dating and grain-size analysis of four riverbed samples with different ages collected via four boreholes across the North China Plain. Our results revealed that during the Early Holocene, coarse-grained sediments derived from upstream mountains were widely present as a result of gradually increasing precipitation. During the Middle Holocene, riverbed sediments gradually became finer due to the increased input of fine-grained sediments from the Chinese Loess Plateau following the northward shift of the rain belt. During the Late Holocene, riverbed sands continued the fining trend because of reduced stream flow, which limited the transport of coarse-grained sediments into the lower reaches. Continuous enhanced anthropogenic influences resulted in more fine-grained sediments in the riverbed. We conclude that millennial-scale precipitation variation controlled the flow discharge and sediment composition in the lower Yellow River during the Holocene. Our findings suggest that increasing flow discharge through water regulation can effectively address current challenges and help adapt to future global warming.

Flow simulation in curved compound channels: Effect of changing the sinuosity of the main channel and width of floodplain

In this research, the effect of different sinuosity (s) and width of floodplain on the flow structures in curved compound channels was investigated numerically. Six different sinuosities of main channel (s = 1, 1.026, 1.096, 1.209, 1.381, and 1.641) and three different relative depths (Dr = 0.26, 0.35, and 0.45) have been used. The findings revealed that with the increase in sinuosity from 1 to 1.641 (64% increase), the maximum flow velocity in the apex section (CS1) and the middle crossover section (CS4) decreases by 23% and 62%, respectively. In the relative depth (Dr) of 0.26, 0.35, and 0.45 with the increase in sinuosity from 1 to 1.641 (with the corresponding decrease in width of floodplain), the ratio of main channel discharge to total discharge (Qmc/Q) is reduced by 40%, 45%, and 45%, respectively. Also, with the increase in relative depth (Dr), the main channel discharge is reduced, and the majority of the flows discharge through floodplain, so that with the increase in the relative depth from 0.26 to 0.45, the amount of Qmc/Q in the channel with maximum sinuosity (s = 1.641) and straight channel (s = 1) decreases by 30% and 14%, respectively. With the increase in sinuosity, the changes of v/u and the angle of flow deviation are more noticeable in the middle sections and above the bankfull level, so that in the most critical state, with an increase in the sinuosity from 1 to 1.641, the relative intensity of secondary flow (v/u) increases from 0 to 3.6, and along a meander, the size of the secondary flow cell in each section becomes larger with increasing sinuosity.

Calibration of base saturation flow rate at pretimed signal intersection utilizing Bayesian linear regression considering morning and evening peak hour observations

Abstract Base saturation flow is a critical constraint used for evaluating the capacity of signalized intersections. The Indonesian Highway Capacity Manual (IHCM, 2023) is frequently used for signalized intersection planning in Indonesia. In heterogeneous traffic environments, the driver characteristics and behaviors exhibit significant variations. However, the base saturation flow was also influenced by traffic volume during the observation period. This study modeled the base saturation flow by analyzing differences in morning and afternoon peak hour data. The objective was to examine the base saturation flow at pretimed signal in Banda Aceh, with a focus on traffic volume fluctuations during peak hours. Four intersections were investigated in this study. Unmanned aerial vehicles were employed to record discharge flow pattern within targeted signalized intersection. Manual timing was conducted using stopwatches and geometric road data were collected through direct field measurements. Bayesian linear regression with a Gibbs sampling approach was utilized to recalibrate the saturation flow rate coefficients. The base saturation flow during the morning peak is 284 We, while in the afternoon peak, it is 285 We, with We representing the effective intersection approach.

The vulnerability of buildings to a large-scale debris flow and outburst flood hazard cascade that occurred on 30 August 2020 in Ganluo, southwest China

Abstract. In mountainous areas, damage caused by debris flows is often aggravated by subsequent dam-burst floods within the main river confluence zone. On 30 August 2020, a catastrophic disaster chain occurred at the confluence of the Heixiluo Gully and Niri River in Ganluo County, southwest China, consisting of a debris flow, the formation of a barrier lake, and subsequent dam break that flooded the community. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of the two hazards and the resulting damage to buildings from the cascading hazards. The peak discharge of the debris flow in the gully mouth reached 1871 m3 s−1. Following the dam break, the flood with a peak discharge of 2737 m3 s−1 significantly altered the main river channel, causing a 4-fold increase in flood inundation compared to an ordinary flood. Three hazard zones were established based on the building damage patterns: (I) primary debris flow burial, (II) secondary dam-burst flood inundation, and (III) sequential debris flow burial and dam-burst inundation. Vulnerability curves were developed for Zone (II) and Zone (III) using impact pressures and inundation depths, and a vulnerability assessment chart is presented that contains the three damage categories. This research addresses a gap in the vulnerability assessments of debris flow hazard cascades and can support future disaster mitigation within confluence areas.

Probabilistic assessment of peak discharge and debris flow concentration in the Surma River using Monte Carlo simulation

ABSTRACT Rivers, vital for household and industrial needs, vary in size due to erosion and sedimentation and are significantly impacted by climate variations. Accurate estimation of river characteristics like discharge and debris flow concentration is essential for designing hydraulic systems in flood-prone areas. This study assesses these factors in the Surma River, located in Sylhet, Bangladesh, by using Monte Carlo simulation to reduce uncertainty. The simulation optimized the time of concentration against water level height. Peak discharge results for 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100-year return periods were 1,904.66, 2,174.77, 2,543.63, 2,846.72, and 3,124.25 m3/s, with corresponding debris flow concentrations (Cv) of 0.5499989, 0.5499976, 0.5499967, 0.5499940, and 0.5499147. During the monsoon season, the maximum peak discharge reached 5,095.58 m3/s with a Cv of 0.7886368. Model validation using the F test and R2 test demonstrated high accuracy, indicated by low mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE), along with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.7097. The p-value from the F test (0.197852) indicated strong alignment between predicted and observed discharges. This study enhances understanding of flow dynamics, improves prediction precision, and underscores the importance of historical data in flood risk assessment.

Influence of flow discharge and minibasin shape on the flow behavior and depositional mechanics of ponded turbidity currents

The interplay between seafloor sediment-laden density-driven flows, turbidity currents, and topography helps to shape continental margins. However, these interactions are poorly understood, especially those within enclosed depressions termed minibasins. In this study, novel experiments quantify the three-dimensional (3-D) dynamics of turbidity currents interacting with a range of minibasin geometries that, for the first time, scale within the parameter space of natural systems. Controls on flow dynamics are quantified by measuring the evolving velocity and sediment transport fields, in addition to maps of bathymetry. This study focuses on three aspects of turbidity current interactions with minibasins. First, the results suggest that sediment transport and deposition in minibasins is likely dominated by evolving flow conditions. Contrary to earlier studies in two-dimensional (2-D) flumes, this study supports a time-to-flow equilibrium in minibasins that scales with the time to replace ambient fluid with turbid influx, and this replacement time likely takes days to achieve in many field-scale minibasins. Second, in all experiments, horizontal flow circulation is observed, which is critical for distributing sediment throughout minibasins. However, the strength of the horizontal circulation reduces as the ratio of minibasin length to width increases, which leads to stagnant or even upstream-directed flow near the bed, elevated height of the velocity maximum in flows, the lowering of near-bed shear stresses, and more homogeneous deposits through a reduction in bed reworking. Finally, the results indicate that fluid detrainment from minibasins significantly reduces sediment fall velocities, severely lowering the sediment-trapping efficiency for small or light particles. This reduction in effective fall velocities of sediments suggests a mechanism that fractionates fine particulates (e.g., clays), nutrients (e.g., organic carbon), and pollutants (e.g., microplastics) along transport paths down topographically complex margins.

Airflow characteristics of the stepped dropshaft in the deep tunnel storage system

ABSTRACT The deep tunnel storage system, mainly consisting of underground tunnels and dropshafts, is effective for dealing with urban waterlogging. A stepped dropshaft is suitable for the system to safely transport water to underground tunnels and efficiently release air carried by water. In this study, the air inflow discharge, air vent discharge, and air discharge into the underground tunnel are investigated experimentally. As the dimensionless water flow discharge increases to 0.56, the water flow successively forms the nappe flow, transition flow, and skimming flow regimes, the relative air inflow discharge decreases from 0.97 to 0.32, the relative air vent discharge decreases from 0.85 to 0.22, and the relative air discharge into the underground tunnel fluctuates below 0.20. The exhaust capacity (the ratio of the air vent discharge to the air inflow discharge) reaches a maximum of 0.87 at the threshold between the nappe flow and the transition flow. Influences of flow discharge, step height, step rotation angle, outlet diameter of the central exhaust pipe, and underground tunnel blockage on airflow characteristics are revealed. The prediction formulas for air inflow discharge, air vent discharge, and exhaust capacity are obtained with accuracies over 80%, providing a guide to the practical design and operation of stepped dropshafts.

Evaluation of the applicability of three sediment transport capacity equations on steep colluvial slopes and their modifications

AbstractAccurate estimations of the sediment transport capacity (Tc) are essential for soil erosion modelling. However, the applicability of existing Tc equations to colluvial soils with high steep slopes and high gravel content is limited. In this study, the variation of Tc with shear stress (τ), unit stream power (P) and stream power (ω) is investigated for different slopes and flow discharge. We also evaluate the applicability of the Yalin, Govers and GUEST equations (based on τ, P and ω, respectively) for estimating Tc on steep–slope colluvial deposits. Experiments were conducted using colluvial soil in a non‐erodible rill flume. The results reveal that Tc follows a power function with τ and ω and a linear function with P. The regression results of the three hydrodynamic parameters and Tc agree with the Tc equation forms of the corresponding equations. The Yalin equation, developed based on gently sloping erodible bed conditions, simulates overall low Tc values for steep sloping non‐erodible bed conditions (P.O.0.5–2 = 42.8%). The accuracy is significantly improved by correcting the sediment transport coefficient Kt (P.O.0.5–2 = 100%). The accuracy of the Govers‐simulated Tc values under steep slope conditions, based on gentle slope conditions, decreases with increasing slope gradient (P.O.0.5–2 = 37.14%), which is attributed to the large amount of coarse‐grained sediment present in this study. Thus, we retained the original form of the equation and further improved its accuracy by adjusting the coefficients (P.O.0.5–2 = 94.29%). As Tc increases, the GUEST equation can accurately simulate Tc. The accuracy is improved by calibrating the F‐value (P.O.0.5–2 = 100%). Using dimensional analysis, the equations built based on hydraulic conditions (excess current power, shear stress, flow velocity, etc.) and median particle size can accurately simulate Tc values (P.O.0.5–2 = 100%). These findings provide a basis for the development of erosion models for avalanche deposits on steep slopes.

Investigation into particle flow patterns during powder spreading in SLM process

Particle flow patterns and their variation mechanism during powder spreading in selective laser melting (SLM) are comprehensively investigated based on discrete element method. Two typical particle flow patterns, circulation and discharge, are identified. The patterns are found to alternate during powder spreading, and the underlying dynamical mechanism are clarified. Variations in the particle flow state across the gap induce variations in vertical velocities of particles in front of the blade, affecting the particle flow pattern. Effect of process parameters on flow pattern is studied, and the dynamical mechanism of the effect is analyzed in depth by two newly proposed indexes. Decreasing gap height, and increasing spreading speed and blade inclination, reduce the proportion of particles moving downward in shear band and enhance inter-particle forces near the gap, thus weakening discharge and intensifying circulation. This study provides a beneficial insight into the powder flow during powder spreading in SLM process.

An Experimental Study on the Effects of Sediment Particle Characteristics on the Flow Velocity Correction Factor for Runoff in Steep Nonerodible Rills

ABSTRACTFlow velocity is a key hydraulic variable in the exploration of rill erosion and is usually estimated by multiplying the surface flow velocity of runoff (measured with the dye tracer method) by the flow correction factor (a). However, there are differences among different experimental conditions, and the selection of the right value of a has become critical for accurately estimating the mean flow velocity. There has been little research on velocity correction factors for hyperconcentrated flows on steep slopes. In this study, gravel‐laden sediment (mass fraction of gravel in the sample ranging from 0% to 70%, corresponding to a median diameter of 0.08–2.95 mm) was used as the test material, and different slopes (18%–84%) and unit flow discharges (1.11–4.44 × 10−3 m2 s−1) were considered to investigate the effects of gravel‐laden sediment particle characteristics on runoff a and to elucidate the mechanism of the effects of different hydrodynamic parameters on runoff a. Under the experimental conditions, the value of a ranged from 0.285 to 0.690. a increases with increasing flow discharge and slope, with flow discharge having a greater effect than slope. With increasing gravel content and median diameter (d50), a decreased initially but then stabilised. Additionally, a decreased with increasing sediment content but increased with increasing Reynolds number (Re). Based on the results of this experiment, 0.37, 0.49 and 0.60 are recommended as the correction factors of surface flow velocity for laminar flow (Re ≤ 500), transitional flow (500 < Re ≤ 2000) and turbulent flow (Re > 2000), respectively. Equation (16), which is based on the hydraulic parameters and sediment particle characteristics, has the best accuracy (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient [NSE] > 0.9). The research results quantified the impact of sediment particle characteristics on a, contributing to the advancement of hydrodynamic studies on rill flow.

Numerical modelling of downstream scour in circular culverts: Impact of inlet blockages and variable flow conditions.

An accurate estimate of scour depth downstream of culvert outlets is essential for culvert design integrity. Inadequate designs can result in structural failures, leading to increased costs for maintenance and rehabilitation. The present research evaluates the efficacy of numerical models in predicting scour depth and its location downstream of circular culverts under variable flow conditions. Two hydrographs were created for unsteady flow, featuring nine different flow discharges, while steady flow conditions were analysed at flow rates of 14 l/s and 22 l/s. The study investigated circular culverts with inlet blockages of 0%, 15%, and 30%, comparing outcomes with predictions from the Flow-3D software using the renormalisation group (RNG) turbulence model. Extensive experimental data on circular culverts were utilised, with simulations performed using commercial software. This involved analysing the scour's downstream profile, its maximum depth, and its location, and comparing these metrics with actual observed data. The results revealed that the numerical model predictions closely corresponded to the experimental data, even though the simulated scour was generally less than that observed for steady and unsteady flows. The results showed that in unsteady flow conditions and for the discharge of 22 l/s, 30% blockage increased scour by 6.8% and 14.2%, respectively, compared to 15% blockage and non-blocked flow. This increase was 22% and 9.5% for the discharge of 14 l/s, respectively. In the steady case, when the flow rate was adjusted from 14 l/s to 22 l/s, there was a noticeable increase in scour depth downstream of the culvert. While blockage rates impacted the scour patterns significantly in unsteady flow scenarios, escalating blockage percentages did not lead to uniformly proportional increases in scour depth within steady flow environments.

Discharge estimation using a rating curve developed for the Upper Erer River, Wabisheble River Basin, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The measurement of a stream flow is a vital component of water quality monitoring, geomorphology, and flooding investigations. However, the direct measurements of stream flow can be costly and challenging. To obtain a continuous record of discharge, typically the recorded stage and discharge are computed from the correlation of stage and discharge in the form of a rating curve. This study focused on the estimation of flow discharges using a rating curve equation based on data recorded at the Erer-Jijiga Bridge hydrometric station at the outlet of the upper Erer Sub-basin in Ethiopia for 2020–2021. The fitted rating curve was then used to estimate discharges from continuously recorded stages. The installation and operation of a gauging station in the Upper Erer Sub-basin will provide local and regional water sector administrators with more reliable estimates of discharge than would be available if the sub-basin was ungauged. This will also assist the local water sector to undertake water resource planning in the Upper Erer River Basin to better use the limited water resources in the region.

Reducing flow heterogeneity in drip irrigation networks using genetic algorithms

AbstractIrrigation based on non‐compensated drip emitters is extremely common in agriculture, especially due to its simplicity, robustness and competitive cost. Nevertheless, because of friction losses in the pipe, together with irregular terrain, these systems often suffer from uneven water distribution in the drip emitters, which not only results in inefficient use of water resources but also might lead to inadequate irrigation in certain parts of the field. This work proposes to design the topology of the irrigation network to compensate for these discharge differences. To this end, a graph‐based mathematical model is developed to determine the discharge flows at different emitters for any network topology. This model is employed to formulate an integer nonlinear optimization problem, for which a messy genetic algorithm is proposed. The methodology is validated on an example problem, which is based on a rectangular agricultural crop of 49 fruit trees. The results revealed a 70% reduction in the coefficient of variation of the irrigation discharge rates, which was employed as a metric of irrigation uniformity. This caused a 75% reduction in the water excess. The results demonstrate that the uniformity can be improved simply by choosing a proper connectivity layout to build the pipe network.

Advanced Prediction Models for Scouring Around Bridge Abutments: A Comparative Study of Empirical and AI Techniques

Scouring is a major concern affecting the overall stability and safety of a bridge. The current research investigated the effectiveness of the various artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and random forest (RF), for scouring depth prediction around a bridge abutment. This study attempted to make a comparative analysis between these AI models and empirical equations developed by various researchers. The current research paper utilized a dataset of water depth (Y), flow velocity (V), discharge (Q), and sediment particle diameter (d50) from a controlled laboratory setting. An efficient optimization tool (MATLAB Optimization Tool (version R2023a)) was used to develop a scour estimation formula around bridge abutments. The findings of the current investigation demonstrated the superior performance of the AI models, especially the ANFIS model, over empirical equations by precisely capturing the non-linear and complex interactions between these parameters. Moreover, the result of the sensitivity analysis demonstrated flow velocity and discharge to be the most influencing parameters affecting the scouring depth around a bridge abutment. The results of the current research highlight the precise and accurate prediction of the scouring depth around a bridge abutment using AI models. However, the empirical equation (Equation 2) demonstrated better performance with a higher R-value of 0.90 and a lower MSE value of 0.0012 compared to other empirical equations. The findings revealed that ANFIS, when combined with neural networks and fuzzy logic systems, produced highly accurate and precise results compared to the ANN models.

A microwave discharge in high-velocity flows initiated by a half-wave antenna

A microwave discharge in high-velocity (150—250 m/s) air flows induced on a half-wave vibrator is studied. A cw magnetron microwave generator with a frequency of 2.45 GHz and an output power of up to 5 kW was used for initiation of the microwave discharge. The high-speed video imaging was used for studying the discharge structure, determining the diameter and length of the plasma channel as a function of flow velocity and pressure. Electron concentration and temperature, along with characteristic gas temperature, were determined based on the optical spectra. The possibility of using this microwave discharge for ignition of hydrocarbon–air mixtures in combustion chambers of ramjet engines is proved experimentally.

The Affect of Physical Parameters on Flood Potential in the Upstream River and the Musi Watershed of Kepahiang, Indonesia

Fllod often occur if the rainfall is high, the flood-affected areas are downstream areas around the Musi Watershed of Kepahiang. The purpose of the study was to find out the characteristics of the physical parameters that affect the potential for flooding in the upstream river and the Musi Watershed. The method used are in situ measurement and laboratory analysis. The results of research, the characteristics of the river's physical parameters after the rain, the river flow discharge is 14.50 m3/s, floating sediment discharge 1.13 kg/s, bottom sediment discharge 43 x 10-4 kg/s, and total sediment discharge 113 x 10-2 kg/s. While the condition is not raining, the river flow discharge is 5.37 m3/s, the floating sediment discharge is 0.30 kg/s, the bottom sediment discharge is 32 x 10-4 kg/s, and the total sediment discharge is 30 x 10-2 kg/s. The dominant sediment texture is sand, clay and silt with a grain size of 1.4 mm - 600 µm. The river bathymetry has a lower elevation at the confluence of the Gegasan River and Lanang River which causes the river currents to reverse, if there is an increase in rainfall it will cause flooding in the area around the river.

Floods modeling and analysis for Dubai using HEC-HMS model and remote sensing using GIS

Floods accompanied by thunderstorms in developed cities are hazardous, causing damage to infrastructure. To secure infrastructure, it is important to employ an integrated approach, combining remote sensing, GIS and precipitation data. The model was developed based on the estimation of event-based runoff and investigated the relationship between runoff and impervious surfaces. The novel approach of combining Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-GeoRAS) along with satellite imagery was utilized, where spatial data was combined with real-time values to run the model. As a first step, the Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) model was fed with information about precipitation, slope, soil type, as well as land use and land cover. The results reveal that the subbasins of Deira, Nief and Jumeirah have the largest impervious area and, thus, a higher probability of flood occurrence. The model was calibrated and validated using previous runoff events and by comparing observed and simulated streak flow and peak discharge against those reported in previous studies. It was found that the model is efficient and can be used in similar regions.