Large‐scale modelling of channel flow and floodplain inundation dynamics and its application to the Pantanal (Brazil)

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.7926
• Publication Date: 2010-12-28T05:42:20Z
• Authors: Adriano Rolim da Paz; Walter Collischonn; Carlos E. M. Tucci; Carlos R. Padovani
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 0207 environmental engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 15. Life on land; 6. Clean water

Abstract For large‐scale sites, difficulties for applying coupled one‐dimensional (1D)/2D models simulating floodplain inundation may be encountered related to data scarcity, complexity establishing channel–floodplain connections, computational cost, long duration of floods and the need represent precipitation evapotranspiration processes. This paper presents a hydrologic simulation system, named SIRIPLAN, developed accomplish this aim. system is composed by 1D hydrodynamic model 2D raster‐based model, two modules compute vertical water balance over exchanges between channel floodplain. Results are presented Upper Paraguay River Basin (UPRB), including Pantanal, one world's largest wetlands. A total 3965 km river channels 140 000 2 floodplains simulated period 11 years. Comparison observed calculated hydrographs at 15 gauging stations showed that was capable simulate distinct, complex flow regimes along main channels, channel‐floodplain interactions. The proposed also able reproduce Pantanal seasonal flood pulse, with estimated inundated areas ranging from 35 (dry period) more than 120 (wet period). Floodplain maps obtained SIRIPLAN were consistent previous knowledge dynamics, but comparison extent provided satellite‐based study indicates permanently flooded have been underestimated. results promising, further work will focus on improving processes representation analysing sensitivity parameters, time step estimates uncertainty. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.