Physically, Fully-Distributed Hydrologic Simulations Driven by GPM Satellite Rainfall over an Urbanizing Arid Catchment in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract:A physically-based, distributed-parameter hydrologic model was used to simulate a recent flood event in the city of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia to gain a better understanding of the runoff generation and spatial distribution of flooding. The city is located in a very arid catchment. Flooding of the city is influenced by the presence of three major tributaries that join the main channel in and around the heavily urbanized area. The Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (IMERG) rainfall product was used due to lack of detailed ground observations. To overcome the heavy computational demand, the catchment was divided into three sub-catchments with a variable model grid resolution. The model was run on three sub-catchments separately, without losing hydrologic connectivity among the sub-catchments. Uncalibrated and calibrated satellite products were used producing different estimates of the predicted runoff. The runoff simulations demonstrated that 85% of the flooding was generated in the urbanized portion of the catchments for the simulated flood. Additional model simulations were performed to understand the roles of the unique channel network in the city flooding. The simulations provided insights into the best options for flood mitigation efforts. The variable model grid size approach allowed using physically-based, distributed models-such as the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model used in this study-on large basins that include urban centers that need to be modeled at very high resolutions.

Applications of TRMM- and GPM-Era Multiple-Satellite Precipitation Products for Flood Simulations at Sub-Daily Scales in a Sparsely Gauged Watershed in Myanmar

“…techniques. However, most relevant studies [24,25,36,45,47,48,50] focused on assessing the hydrological utility of IMERG at daily or monthly time scales, while evaluations at sub-daily temporal scales have seldom been reported [44,46,49]. Furthermore, studies on the hydrological performance of all the "Early", "Late", and "Final" runs of IMERG are rare [24,25,50].…”

Evaluation and Hydrological Validation of GPM Precipitation Products over the Nanliu River Basin, Beibu Gulf

“…There have been some initial comparative evaluations of GPM products against precipitation gauges, under different climatic and topographic conditions [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], and also some hydrological validations, at basin scales [29][30][31][32]. These evaluation works of the GPM mentioned above, were conducted at large scales, including global, continental, and large-medium basins, but few have been conducted for the small basin areas.…”

A Review on Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Water Resources and Flood Risk Management

“…Huff curve, SWMM, GIS data preprocess and visualization [39] Rainfall runoff prediction and flood forecasting Flood modeling GSSHA model, GPM IMERG, GIS visualization [40] Rainfall Runoff simulation RCM, LSM, CoLM, CoLM+LF, GIS data preprocess [41] Flood inundation forecast ARX regressor, MOGA algorithm, GIS visualization [42] Water body and flood mapping Flash flood detection TMPA real time 3B2RT, CT, CDFs, JFI, GIS spatial analysis [43] Urban water body mapping ZY-3 images, AUWEM, GIS spatial analysis [44] Flood inundation mapping ENVISAT, ASAR, GIS spatial analysis [45] 2. Summary of This Special Issue…”

“…Hydrological models originated from conceptual and clumped models, and are advancing to physically-based, distributed models, such as the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA). Sharif et al [40] in this special issue utilized the GSSHA model to simulate a recent flood event to gain a better understanding of the runoff generation and spatial distribution of flooding in a very arid catchment of Hafr Al Batin City, north-eastern Saudi Arabia. The GPM IMERG rainfall products (the uncalibrated early run and calibrated final run) were used to drive the GSSHA model.…”