Even in urban areas reliable and precise information about possible floods and related water levels as well as inundation areas are needed to minimize potential damages. One main requirement for this issue is to correct the stage-discharge relations which are sometimes not available. This paper reconsiders the use of historical hydrologic data in urban areas which have fundamentally changed even concerning the river beds, cross sections and floodplain areas. By means of an historical approach the flood statistics has been updated with surprising results.

This dissertation explores policy-relevant questions related to climate change, agriculture, land use, and water from an environmental economics perspective. The first chapter investigates the impact of pesticides on human health and welfare using using cicada emergence as a ecologically-driven natural experiment. The second analyzes the relationship between irrigation and climate change, showing how adaptive measures can create negative externalities. The third chapter provides an estimate of the value of wetlands for flood mitigation, an important topic in relation to the Clean Water Act. Overall, these chapters explore both how humans affect the land and the reverse feedback of how land use decisions affect human welfare.

In recent years, coastal regions worldwide have experienced some of the most devastating hurricanes, such as Harvey and Ida, which resulted in immense human and capital loss. Unfortunately, global climate change, particularly sea-level rise, only amplifies their consequences since hurricanes and the associated storm-induced flooding become more frequent and deadlier. The goal of my work is to develop and implement tools towards effective strategies for resilient and sustainable cities, against storm hazards amidst climate change. We propose a comprehensive optimization framework to search, evaluate, and optimize over a multitude of potential solutions, under various budget and societal constraints. Our models yield significant monetary and efficiency improvements, and importantly, are created and updated based on stakeholders’ feedback (e.g., mayor’s office, transportation agencies, etc.). Case studies in New York City will be demonstrated.

No description available.

Extreme flooding and excess nutrient pollution have been detrimental to river health under increased environmental stress from human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). Riverine flooding can be detrimental to human life and infrastructure yet provides important habitat and ecosystem services. Traditional flood control approaches (e.g., levees, dams) negatively impact habitat and ecosystem services, and cause flooding elsewhere along the river. Prior studies have shown that stream restoration can enhance flood attenuation, and increased exchange of water between the channel and floodplain can improve water quality. However, the effects of floodplain restoration during small and sub annual recurrence interval storms have not been thoroughly studied, nor have cumulative impacts of floodplain restoration on water quality at watershed scales. We used HEC-RAS to perform 1D unsteady simulations on a 2nd-order generic stream from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to study flood attenuation under small and sub-annual recurrence interval storms (i.e., 2-year, 1-year, 0.5-year, and monthly). In HEC-RAS we varied percent of channel restored, location of restoration, bank height of restoration, floodplain width, and floodplain Manning's n. Overall, stream restoration reduced peak flow (up to 37%) and decreased time to peak (up to 93%). We found the timing of tributary inflows could obscure the attenuation achieved, and even reverse the trends with certain parameters in the sensitivity analysis. The greatest exchange with the floodplains (greater volume and exchange under more recurrence interval storms) was observed from Stage 0 restoration, which reduces bank height more than other approaches. We also conducted a quantitative literature synthesis of nitrate removal rates from stream restoration projects. We focused on how removal rates varied with properties relevant at watershed scales, such as effects of stream order. The resulting database will aid in determining which stream restoration parameters better reduce nutrient loads and in simulating the effects of stream restoration on water quality at watershed scales. Floodplain restoration practices, and particularly Stage 0 approaches, enhance flood attenuation which can help to counteract urban hydrologic effects. / Master of Science / Extreme flooding and excess nutrient pollution have been detrimental to river health under increased environmental stress from human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). Riverine flooding can be detrimental to human life and infrastructure yet provides important habitat and ecosystem services. Traditional flood control approaches (e.g., levees, dams) negatively impact habitat and ecosystem services, and cause flooding elsewhere along the river. Prior studies have shown that stream restoration can enhance flood attenuation and aid in removal of excess nutrients. Previous studies have shown that stream restoration helps to transport nutrients to highly reactive soils and increases time for reactions. However, the effects of floodplain restoration during small and sub annual recurrence interval storms have not been thoroughly studied, nor have cumulative impacts of floodplain restoration on water quality at watershed scales. To fill these knowledge gaps, increased understanding of stream restoration design parameters and watershed level characteristics (e.g., tributary inflows, nutrient loads, etc.) is necessary. We used HEC-RAS to study flood attenuation via stream restoration under small and sub-annual recurrence interval storms on a generic stream from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In HEC-RAS we varied percent of channel restored, location of restoration, bank height of restoration, floodplain width, and floodplain Manning's n (surface roughness). Overall, stream restoration did reduce peak flow and decrease time to peak, which means that restoration can diminish negative flooding effects. The greatest exchange with the floodplains was observed under Stage 0 restoration, which reduces bank height more than other approaches. We also conducted a quantitative literature synthesis to collect nitrate removal rates from stream restoration projects. We focused on how removal rates varied with properties relevant at watershed scales, such as effects of stream order. The resulting database will aid in determining which stream restoration parameters better reduce nutrient loads and in simulating the effects of stream restoration on water quality at watershed scales. These efforts will help to inform practitioners how to construct stream restoration projects that are more efficient for flood control and nutrient reduction. Floodplain restoration practices, particularly Stage 0 approaches, enhance flood attenuation and exchange which can help to counteract urban hydrologic effects.

Geosynthetic tubes have the potential to replace the traditional flood protection device of sandbagging. These tubes are manufactured with many individual designs and configurations. A small number of studies have been conducted on the geosynthetic tubes as water barriers. Within these studies, none have discussed the dynamics of unanchored geosynthetic tubes. A two-dimensional equilibrium and vibration analysis of a freestanding geosynthetic tube is executed. Air and water are the two internal materials investigated. Three foundation variations are considered: rigid, Winkler, and Pasternak. Mathematica 4.2 was employed to solve the nonlinear equilibrium and dynamic equations, incorporating boundary conditions by use of a shooting method. General assumptions are made that involve the geotextile material and supporting surface. The geosynthetic material is assumed to act like an inextensible membrane and bending resistance is neglected. Friction between the tube and rigid supporting surface is neglected. Added features of viscous damping and added mass of the water were applied to the rigid foundation study of the vibrations about the freestanding equilibrium configuration. Results from the equilibrium and dynamic analysis include circumferential tension, contact length, equilibrium and vibration shapes, tube settlement, and natural frequencies. Natural frequencies for the first four mode shapes were computed. Future models may incorporate the frequencies or combinations of the frequencies found here and develop dynamic loading simulations. / Master of Science

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (GAES). Johannesburg, October 2017. / Climate and weather-related impacts have become widespread particularly affecting the tourism industry. Changes in the climate and weather lead to changes in tourist seasons, products and travel opportunities. Flooding has gained research attention over the past decade, since the destruction creates many challenges for tourism businesses. Floods are a growing global problem, increasing in terms of frequency of occurrence, property damages, business economic losses, and fatalities. South Africa has begun to experience many annual flood events both coastal and in-land, but the Limpopo Province has been declared as flood disaster area, since the increase in temperatures and precipitation. Interest now lies on how particular tourist destinations in the Limpopo Province can adapt to reduce flooding risks whilst increasing opportunities mainly for the economy. Debates around flooding costs, recovery processes, and adaptive capacities affirm to be more challenging for the tourism accommodation sector. The study aimed to explore the perceived flooding impacts on different types of tourist accommodation. Thus, to determine if floods hindered any tourist bookings, offerings, and tourist length of stay. The exploration verified the possible flood risks to vulnerable accommodation and no adequate adaptation plans. A purposeful sample of 145 tourist accommodation businesses located across three flood-prone regions of the Limpopo Province were selected to answer a semi-structured questionnaire to put across their flooding experiences from a management perspective. The semi-structured questionnaire was combined with telephone interviews and email responses. Coherent theme development within the theoretical framework was achieved through content analysis. Content analysis allowed for the critical discussion of deductive and inductive themes found in the results. Floods during peak-seasons threaten and affect tourist accommodation, leaving them behind in business. Those not affected benefit with increased tourist demand and new opportunities in the hospitality industry. Tourist accommodation businesses are exposed to flood risks and experience challenges to assess, recover and adapt from the direct and indirect impacts. Alongside the destruction of tourism in these regions, were concerns of the provision of flood mapping and flood management plans for tourism businesses. Wider flooding impacts on the environment and the surrounding local communities demonstrates a growing problem for the future. Key words: floods; tourist accommodation; flooding impacts; risks; opportunities; tourist demand; adaptation; flood recovery, flood mapping, flood management plans. / LG2018

As inundações periódicas na bacia hidrográfica do rio Cuiabá levaram a população a buscar meios para controlar as ocorrências de inundação, o que estimulou a construção da UHE Manso, atualmente sob responsabilidade da empresa Eletrobrás Furnas, em importante afluente desse rio. A partir de então, muito se tem discutido sobre a segurança proporcionada pela contenção de cheias do Aproveitamento Múltiplo de Manso (APM Manso) nas comunidades a jusante, especialmente na região metropolitana do Vale do Rio Cuiabá. O presente trabalho se propõe a avaliar a influência do reservatório de Manso na atenuação das cheias na bacia do Cuiabá. Foram analisados cenários hidráulicos a fim de comparar o impacto dos eventos extremos que ocorreram antes e após a operação da usina nas hipóteses da existência e inexistência do reservatório, e de cheias de projeto com diversos períodos de retorno na sub-bacia do rio Manso. O amortecimento hipotético do APM Manso foi simulado pelo método de Puls, e a translação da onda de cheia foi calculada pelo modelo hidrodinâmico CLiv. Em suma, foi constatado que o reservatório evitou uma cheia que atingiria grandes magnitudes em 2006. Quanto às inundações de maior prejuízo observadas anteriormente à construção da usina, duas delas seriam substancialmente atenuadas com a existência do reservatório; no entanto, uma terceira atingiria os níveis de alerta definidos pela Defesa Civil Estadual. Por fim, concluiu-se que, nas condições ideais de simulação, o APM Manso é capaz de reduzir a frequência das cheias consideradas de risco para as comunidades a jusante para períodos de retorno entre 50 e 100 anos. Apesar do amortecimento verificado, para que haja mitigação dos impactos de maneira racional, diversos outros cuidados devem ser tomados, em especial os relacionados ao planejamento para a ocupação apropriada das áreas de planície de inundação, a fim de que a segurança da população não dependa exclusivamente do reservatório. / The constant floods in Cuiabá river basin had led population to seek ways to control the overflow occurrences, encouraging the construction of Manso hydroelectric power plant, nowadays under responsibility of Eletrobras Furnas Company, in an important tributary of this river. Much has been discussed about the safety provided by the flood attenuation of Manso Multiple Use reservoir (MMU) in downstream communities, mainly in the metropolitan region of Cuiabá River Valley. In this context, this dissertation reports on the evaluation of the influence of Manso reservoir on the flood attenuation in Cuiabá basin. Hydraulic scenarios were analyzed in order to compare the impact of extreme events that occurred before and after hydroelectric power plant operation in the case of existence and non existence of the reservoir, and the impact of design flood with many return periods in Manso river sub-basin. The hypothetical flood-control of the MMU was simulated by level pool routing method, and the wave propagation was calculated by CLiv hydrodynamic model. It was verified that the reservoir avoided an inundation of great magnitudes in 2006. Regarding the major inundations that occurred before the hydroelectric power plant construction, two of them would have been substantially attenuated by the existence of the reservoir, and a third one would have reached the alert levels defined by the State Civil Defense. Finally, it was concluded that, under perfect simulated conditions, MMU is able to reduce the flood frequency considered risky to communities downstream in return periods between 50 and 100 years. Despite the verified flood-control, for the purpose of mitigating the impacts in wise manners, many other precautions must be taken, especially those related to planning for appropriate occupation in flood plain areas, so that population safety does not depend exclusively on the reservoir.

Bibliography: leaves [175-181]

Die Hochwasserereignisse der letzten Jahre haben Mängel bei der schnellen Verfügbarkeit des klassischen Darstellungs-, Entscheidungs- und Analyseinstruments Karte offenbart. Die Erfahrungen von 1997 und 2002 verdeutlichen, dass eine homogene digitale Datengrundlage, die neben rein topographischen zusätzlich auch fachspezifische Informationen des Hochwasserschutzes enthält, für eine effektive Bekämpfung solcher Ereignisse notwendig ist. <br><br> Mit den Daten des ,Amtlichen Topographisch-Kartographischen Informationssystems&rsquo; (ATKIS) liegen topographische Basisdaten in graphikfreier Form als digitales Landschaftsmodell (DLM) flächendeckend für die Bundesrepublik vor. Anhand der exemplarischen Ableitung von nutzerorientierten Kartenmodellen aus diesen graphikfreien Daten wurde deren Eignung für den besonderen Verwendungszweck im Rahmen eines Hochwasserschutz-Informationssystems überprüft. Als Anwendungsbeispiel wurde das Gebiet der Ziltendorfer Niederung, die während des Oder-Hochwassers 1997 überflutet wurde, gewählt. <br><br> In Expertengesprächen wurden zunächst Inhalte identifiziert, die für einen wirksamen Hochwasserschutz Relevanz besitzen; diese Inhalte wurden anschließend analog zum ATKIS-Systemdesign strukturiert und als Objekte eines separaten Objektbereichs im digitalen Fachmodell (DFM) erfasst. <br><br> Bei der Ableitung von (Bildschirm-) Karten aus den graphikfreien Daten wurden jeweils unterschiedliche Kriterien für die Basiskarte und die Fachinhalte berücksichtigt. Dabei wurden verschiedene kartographische Regeln und Gesetze mit dem Ziel der prägnanten Visualisierung und damit der eindeutigen Lesbarkeit der Karten angewendet. Beispielhaft sei hier die Schaffung einer visuellen Hierarchie zwischen Basiskarte und Fachinhalten genannt. Die besonderen Nutzungsbedingungen von Karten im Einsatzfall erfordern u.a., dass die Karten auch von Personen, die nur über geringe oder keine Erfahrung im Umgang mit Karten verfügen, schnell und einfach zu lesen sind, um so eine sichere Informationsvermittlung zu gewährleisten. Voraussetzung dafür ist einerseits die Beschränkung auf die Darstellung der wesentlichen Inhalte, andererseits die Verwendung leicht lesbarer Kartenzeichen. Aus diesem Grund wurden einheitliche Kartenzeichen zur Darstellung der Fachinhalte entwickelt, die entweder aus allgemein bekannten Symbolen, aus den im Katastrophenschutz üblicherweise verwendeten sog. taktischen Zeichen oder aus Fachzeichen des Hochwasserschutzes abgeleitet wurden. <br><br> Die entwickelten Kartenmodelle wurden abschließend in qualitativen Experteninterviews in Bezug auf ihre Qualität und Verwendbarkeit im Hochwasserschutz geprüft. Die Auswertung der Interviews ergab eine insgesamt positive Beurteilung der Karten für den Einsatz in Hochwasserschutz-Informationssystemen. Damit leistet die vorliegende Arbeit einen Beitrag zur Entwicklung von (Bildschirm-) Karten zur Unterstützung bei der Entscheidungsfindung im Katastrophenmanagement. / The flooding events of recent years have revealed shortcomings concerning the speedy availability of traditional presentation, decision-making and analysis instrument maps. The experiences of 1997 and 2002 show that a homogenous digital dataset comprising relevant information on flood control measures as well as purely topographical information is essential to effectively combat such events. <br><br> Data from the official cartographic and topographic information system (Amtliches Topographisch-Kartographisches Informationssystem - ATKIS) provide basic non-graphic topographic data as digital landscape models (DLM) for the whole of the Federal Republic of Germany. By means of the exemplary derivation of user-oriented map models from these non-graphic data, their suitability for deployment in the context of a flood protection information system was verified. The Ziltendorfer Niederung area, which was flooded by the Oder in 1997, was chosen as an example. <br><br> First of all, in expert interviews subject matter that was relevant for effective flood control was identified. This subject matter was than structured analogous to the ATKIS system design and recorded in the digital thematic model (DFM). <br><br> Different respective criteria for the basis map and specialist content were taken into account with the derivation of (screen) maps from the non-graphic data. Thereby the different cartographic rules and guidelines were used with the aim of succinct visualisation and thus clear readability of the maps. The creation of a visual hierarchy between the components basis map and specialist content is cited as exemplary here. <br><br> Maps also sometimes need to be read quickly and easily by persons who have little or no knowledge of how to do this in order to assure reliable communication of information. This is conditional on the one hand on the presentation of the intrinsic content, and on the other the use of easily readable conventional map signs. For this reason standard conventional signs for the presentation of specialist content were developed that were either derived from commonly known symbols, from so-called tactical signs commonly used in disaster control, or from specialist signs from flood control. <br><br> The developed map model was finally verified with respect to its quality and usability in flood control. Evaluation of the interviews showed an overall positive assessment of the maps for use in flood protection information systems. This paper thus contributes to the development of (screen) maps to support the decision-making processes of disaster management.