Information technologies in water resources: Modeling flood control alternatives for the Clear Creek watershed within a GIS framework

Abstract

Recent technological advancements in hydrologic science and geographic information systems (GIS) have permitted the rapid and accurate analysis of flood control options in the Clear Creek watershed. Models were developed using the Hydrologic Engineering Center's latest hydrologic and hydraulic programs, including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRas. These models were used to develop alternatives to large-scale channelization, including limited channelization, floodplain property buyouts, and a combination approach. NEXRAD radar was used to compliment an inadequate rain gage network. The above tools were coupled with available floodplain data and a GIS program (ArcView) to produce floodplain mapping for each scenario. The effects of six different limited channelization schemes were explored. Cost estimates were calculated for properties within various return frequency floodplains. Results show that the combination of one of the investigated channelization schemes with buyouts of properties in the residual floodplain was the most viable from the perspectives of flood control and economics