GIS Based Urban Flood Inundation Modeling

Flooding is a complex process affected by many factors in which the flood discharge characteristics and the topography of the inundated region are of great importance. This study aimed at the development of a manageable method for flood inundation modeling using GIS. The study shows that through the inundation modeling by combining DEM and actually observed floodwater level values and maximum discharge runoff, the inundated area can be accurately simulated and the water depth distribution in the inundated area can be calculated for a flood with a 20 years return period, as occurred on July 26th, 1998. The results indicate that GIS can contribute to more accurate flood modeling.