Development of an open source Debris Flow Simulator for “Sabo” (DFSS)

Abstract

We report the development of an open source “Debris Flow Simulator for Sabo” (DFSS). DFSS consists of three models corresponding to three geomorphological regions (mountain hillside slopes, mountain-to-plain river channels, and lower plains). A 2D rainfall-runoff (RR) model is adopted mainly for hillside slopes; a 1D debris flow runoff (DR) model is used for the river channel; and a 2D debris flow flooding or inundation (DF) model is adopted for the lower plains. These models are weakly coupled such that one can modify the overall model to fit diverse problems. In this article, we provide a detailed introduction to the models comprising DFSS, and demonstrate its utility.