Using volunteered geographic information data for flood mapping – Wadi Deffa El Bayadh Algeria

Abstract

This study presents a coupled application of hydrological and hydraulic models to reconstruct a flash flood event of the ungauged watercourse of Wadi Deffa, Algeria. The objective is to compare the performances of three hydrological models (rational method, EBA4SUB, HEC-HMS) and two hydraulic bidimensional models (HEC-RAS 2D, FLO-2D) by using the Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) data. The comparison between the observed and simulated flood areas showed satisfactorily performance of the EBA4SUB-FLO-2D approach compared to the other approaches. The analysis of the observed and simulated flood depths showed a good estimate using the approaches EBA4SUB-FLO-2D and EBA4SUB-HEC-RAS 2D. The best estimate of the two flood depth approaches is attributed to the hydrological model EBA4SUB in estimating the peak flow. The results demonstrate that the EBA4SUB-FLO-2D modeling approach can provide reliable data for the management of flood risks in the ungauged watersheds of the southwest region of Algeria.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrological modeling
• hydraulic modeling
• flood mapping
• EBA4SUB
• FLO2D
• HEC-RAS 2D
• ungauged basin

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Azzedine Otmani

Azzedine Otmani is Ph.D student/Researche in hydraulic resources for (Modeling and Computational Methods Laboratory) in Faculty of Technology, University of Saida Dr. Tahar Moulay, Saida, Algeria. Engineer in urban hydraulics and Master degree in water resources. Domains of interest: climate change, water resources engineering, watershed management, floods, hydrological and hydraulic modelling.

Abdelkrim Hazzab

Abdelkrim Hazzab is presently employed with the University Moulay Tahar of Saida in Algeria in the Department of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering. He is the director of a research group at Saida University in Algeria's Modeling and Computational Methods Laboratory. His work focuses on the study of hydraulics, particularly the modeling and analysis of floods, the transport of sediments, and the rheology experimentation of material.

M’hamed Atallah

M'hamed Atallah Ph.D./Researcher in Water Engineering and Environment for (Modeling and Computational Methods Laboratory). University teacher in El Bayadh University Center, Nour Bachir University, El Bayadh, Algeria. Currently, Domains of interest: Applied Geomorphology, Modeling, Geomatics, Natural Risks, Protection of the environment and impact Study, Hydrodynamics, Fluid Mechanics.

Ciro Apollonio

Ciro Apollonio is Associate Professor in Hydrology, Hydraulics and Watershed Management for DAFNE Department (Department of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences) in Tuscia University. His research activities are: 1) Hydrological and Hydraulic modelling at basin and plot scale: rainfall runoff modelling, flood area delineation, flood risk analysis. 2) Water resources management: irrigation and drainage; river protection and management; sustainable hydraulic networks development and management. 3) Experimental studies for soil erosion mitigation using Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Associate Editor of Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems (GI) Journal - Copernicus Publications, Bahnhofsallee 1e 37081 Göttingen Germany. Member of task force on Natural Risks of Regional Civil Protection Agency - Apulia Region (Italy).

Andrea Petroselli

Andrea Petroselli is Associate Professor in Hydrology, Hydraulics and Watershed Management for DEIM Department (Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization) in Tuscia University. His research activities are: 1) Statistical hydrology, in collaboration with International Association of Hydrological Science (IAHS) he works at the development of Statistics in Hydrology Working Group (STAHY-WG; www.stahy.org), a working group focused on statistical methods for analysis of hydrological data. 2) Hydrological modelling at basin and plot scale: rainfall runoff modelling, flood area delineation, development of advanced GIS (Geographic Information System) tools and techniques for Terrain Analysis modelling. In collaboration with several international partners he promoted the development of GISTAR Group (Geographic Information System Terrain Analysis Research; www.gistar.org), a working group for researchers and professionals involved in the investigation, developing and application of GIS-based terrain analysis tools for hydrologic and geomorphic models. 3) Water resources management: irrigation and drainage; river protection and management; sustainable hydraulic networks development and management; water depuration with integrated systems of phytoremediation.