Adding Radar Rainfall and Calibration to the TR-20 Watershed Model to Improve Dam Removal Flood Analysis
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 134, Issue 3
Abstract
In communities where flood frequency data are unavailable, rainfall-runoff-routing models can estimate flood impacts of dam removal. We used the federal TR-20 model with PEST calibration software and NEXRAD radar rainfall data to study dam removal in the section of New York’s Onondaga Creek. The NEXRAD calibrated TR-20 simulated dam controlled flow for 100-year frequency duration rainfall, and the predicted peak discharge of was within 1% of flood frequency estimates. TR-20 predicted a peak discharge of for the same 100-year, rainfall with the dam removed, which was 4% higher than regional regression estimated peaks for an unregulated watershed. HEC river analysis system analysis of TR-20 floods showed naturalized flood peaks for events of 10 years or greater would leave the channel. This note reports on how radar rainfall and automated calibration are incorporated into TR-20 by managers and planners to enhance watershed restoration analysis.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported through U.S. Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 134 • Issue 3 • May 2008
Pages: 314 - 317
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 27, 2006
Accepted: Oct 1, 2007
Published online: May 1, 2008
Published in print: May 2008
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