Flash Flood Potential Analysis and Hazard Mapping of Wadi Mujib Using GIS and Hydrological Modelling Approach

Abstract

Jordan experienced flash floods that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. This research focuses on identifying the Wadi Mujib’s flash flood potential zones and evaluating their potential magnitude. In this work, hydrological models were developed by integrating GIS settings with HEC-HMS software (V. 4.11). The hydrological model for Wadi Mujib is simulated in this research by means of the Soil Conservation Service (curve number method) while using rainfall data from 1970 to 2022. The results show that the optimum curve number values (CN) were 78.5 at normal antecedent moisture content. Additionally, in order to aid in the decision-making process for flash flood warnings, a flash flood potential index (FFPI) was also introduced based on four main physiographic parameters (slope, land use, plant cover, and soil texture) ranging from 1 to 10. The accumulative chart’s FFPI threshold, which indicates the areas with the highest potential for flash floods, was set at 95% or above. The FFPI threshold was chosen using the accumulative chart of FFPI, which shows that the FFPM threshold value is 7 and covers 13.39% of the study area.

Keywords

• flash flood
• Wadi Mujib
• flash flood guidance
• hazardous flooding
• hydrological factors
• HEC-HMS