Journal article
Evaluating the efficacy of distributed detention structures to reduce downstream flooding under variable rainfall, antecedent soil, and structural storage conditions
Advances in water resources, Vol.96, pp.74-87
10/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.07.002
Abstract
•Peak flows were reduced by 3–17% for variable soil, structural storage, and rainfall.•Initial soil moisture has an important effect on peak flow scale invariance.•Extrapolation of scale invariance revealed reductions dissipated 2km downstream.
This research systematically analyzed the influence of antecedent soil wetness, rainfall depth, and the subsequent impact on peak flows in a 45km2 watershed. Peak flows increased with increasing antecedent wetness and rainfall depth, with the highest peak flows occurring under intense precipitation on wet soils. Flood mitigation structures were included and investigated under full and empty initial storage conditions. Peak flows were reduced at the outlet of the watershed by 3–17%. The highest peak flow reductions occurred in scenarios with dry soil, empty project storage, and low rainfall depths. These analyses showed that with increased rainfall depth, antecedent moisture conditions became increasingly less impactful. Scaling invariance of peak discharges were shown to hold true within this basin and were fit through ordinary least squares regression for each design scenario. Scale-invariance relationships were extrapolated beyond the outlet of the analyzed basin to the point of intersection of with and without structure scenarios. In each scenario extrapolated peak discharge benefits depreciated at a drainage area of approximately 100km2. The associated drainage area translated to roughly 2km downstream of the Beaver Creek watershed outlet. This work provides an example of internal watershed benefits of structural flood mitigation efforts, and the impact the may exert outside of the basin. Additionally, the influence of $1.8 million in flood reduction tools was not sufficient to routinely address downstream flood concerns, shedding light on the additional investment required to alter peak flows in large basins.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluating the efficacy of distributed detention structures to reduce downstream flooding under variable rainfall, antecedent soil, and structural storage conditions
- Creators
- Nicholas W Thomas - University of IowaAntonio Arenas Amado - University of IowaKeith E Schilling - University of IowaLarry J Weber - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Advances in water resources, Vol.96, pp.74-87
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.07.002
- ISSN
- 0309-1708
- eISSN
- 1872-9657
- Grant note
- name: Iowa Watersheds Project
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2016
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; Civil and Environmental Engineering; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984197536102771
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