Advanced methods for improving the lead-time and accuracy of a flood alert system in an urban watershed

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorBedient, Philip B.en_US
dc.creatorBenavides, Jude Anthonyen_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T08:07:05Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-04T08:07:05Zen_US
dc.date.issued2005en_US
dc.description.abstractThe lead-time and accuracy of a flood alert system designed for a quickly responding urban watershed have been improved by incorporating a variety of new tools and methodologies. These include: the use of computer-mediated voice and data communication systems such as the Internet, high-quality hydrologic data including radar rainfall, real-time hydrologic models, assessment and use of a Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) algorithm, and the development of improved flood notification levels---providing earlier and more accurate warnings to critical institutions and emergency personnel in flood-prone areas throughout the watershed. While the research focused on one watershed in an urban setting (Brays Bayou in Houston, Texas), the results found are applicable across a broad spectrum of watershed types, provided that the need for more timely and accurate flood forecasts exists. System lead-time improvements were accomplished through the implementation and evaluation of a QPF algorithm increasingly used for short-term weather prediction across the United States. The Brays Bayou watershed provided an excellent test-bed for the collection and evaluation of QPF data. Algorithm accuracy and effectiveness were evaluated at various forecast times and basin sizes commonly found in urban watersheds. Generalized results of these analyses are presented. System accuracy improvements were accomplished with improved radar-rainfall data input and the development of real-time hydrologic models. A real-time interface for the industry standard HEC-1 hydrologic model was created, allowing the hydrologic predictions developed by this model to take greater advantage of the spatial and temporal distribution of real-time radar-rainfall data. The successful implementation of this real-time hydrologic model at the scale of Brays Bayou also provided significant lead-time improvements by providing estimates to when peak flows would actually occur. A successful validation and operational test of the entire system occurred during the November 17th, 2003 storm event. This storm event is utilized as a case study, with results illustrating wide-ranging improvements.en_US
dc.format.extent364 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS C.E. 2005 BENAVIDESen_US
dc.identifier.citationBenavides, Jude Anthony. "Advanced methods for improving the lead-time and accuracy of a flood alert system in an urban watershed." (2005) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18737">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18737</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/18737en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectHydrologyen_US
dc.subjectEnvironmental engineeringen_US
dc.subjectComputer scienceen_US
dc.titleAdvanced methods for improving the lead-time and accuracy of a flood alert system in an urban watersheden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
3168059.PDF
Size:
103.05 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
Rice University Theses and Dissertations