Distributed flood simulations with coupling gauge observations and radar-rainfall estimates

This study used a two-dimensional diffusion hydrodynamic model for the simulation of extreme flood events that occurred in the Shihmen reservoir watershed from 1989 to 2001. The alternating direction explicit scheme (ADE) with various horizontal spacings from 120 to 240 m at an incremental interval of 40 m was conducted for flood simulations. Spatial precipitation was provided by the gauge interpolations and weather radar rainfall estimate schemes. A case study, Typhoon Nari on September 16 - 18, 2001, was then performed using radar-derived rainfall with coupling two-dimensional diffusion hydrodynamic model in flood routing investigations. Numerical results revealed acceptable agreement between the observed and simulated reservoir stage hydrographs. Results of 120 and 160 m spacing had similar values on error indicators while the 160 m grids can greatly reduce computational time by 40% than that of 120 m grids. Precipitation is identified to be the main factor forcing model result.