Browsing by Author "Peeples, Amelia"

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    Modeling Flood Reduction of Nature-Based Channel Modifications in Houston, TX
    (2023-04-19) Peeples, Amelia; Bedient, Philip
    Urban flood risk is being exacerbated around the world due to increased runoff from development as well as increased rainfall intensity due to climate change. Houston, TX has historically relied on grey flood mitigation measures, but, due to recent flooding and rapid urbanization, Houston is still in need of additional flood mitigation. Other regions with high flood risk have successfully implemented large-scale nature-based flood mitigation regimes, such as the Room for the River project in the Netherlands. However, there have not been previous studies on how nature-based channel modifications would impact flood risk on previously highly engineered bayous in Houston. The purpose of this study is to model how river restoration, characterized by increasing floodplain volume and increasing vegetation, has the potential to reduce riverine flood risk in Houston. By testing a large array of channel restoration scenarios, the optimal channel modification design, vegetation, length, and location is determined to optimize floodplain reduction while considering diminishing returns associated with continued channel widening. The efficacy of this methodology was tested by modeling the present conditions as well as a suite of modified channel conditions of White Oak Bayou watershed using a 2D HEC-RAS model.