Approximate Flood Routing Methods: A Review

Some well-known approximate flood routing models, including diffusion analogy models, kinematic wave models, and various extensions of the storage routing methods, are reviewed in the light of their theoretical background. A class of kinematic models is identified and close relationships among many superficially diverse models are demonstrated. Limits of application for different groups of models are indicated and some emphasis is placed on the analyses of parameter selection procedures. Attention is drawn to the kinematic model corrected for dynamic effects, a generalized model developed recently by Koussis. It covers the widest range of practical applications, excluding only cases where dynamic effects or downstream disturbances play a major role. Other features are reviewed which make the Koussis model an ideal framework for the development of generalized computer programs for approximate flood routing computations.