An investigation and quantitative analysis of the impacts on stream flow and fluvial erosion associated with urbanisation of a small catchment

Skipworth, Julian (2010) An investigation and quantitative analysis of the impacts on stream flow and fluvial erosion associated with urbanisation of a small catchment. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

[Abstract]: The urbanisation of a catchment can have a significant impact on flow, flood and erosion processes. By modelling these processes in a rural and then a hypothetical urbanised catchment quantitative comparisons can be made on how the urbanisation process has impacted on stream flows, flood behaviour and erosion.

Hydraulic and hydrologic modelling are techniques frequently undertaken for a range of purposes including estimation of flood extents, development of flood mitigation plans and in determining the effects of hydraulic structures. Hydraulic modelling typically
assume fixed cross-section geometries while in reality the processes of erosion and sediment transport results in changing channel geometries over time.

The results indicated that the urbanisation of a catchment has some dramatic effects on stream flow, flood and erosion processes. The RORB hydrologic model showed significant increases in peak flows and run-off volume and a reduction in lag time. The HEC-RAS hydraulic model showed significant increases in water surface elevations, shear stresses and flood extents. The channel enlargement modelling indicated a substantial increase in channel area was required to accommodate the increased urban flows.

The project has identified the importance of considering the impacts of development in long-term flood and hydraulic modelling as it cannot be assumed that channel geometries and peak flows are fixed particularly as development has been shown to accelerate fluvial erosion processes. The project has also indentified the need for further research to investigate the complex relationship between urbanization, flood behaviour and channel morphology.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Supervisors: Brodie, Ian; Martin, Julian
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2011 02:07
Last Modified: 03 Jul 2013 00:30
Uncontrolled Keywords: catchment modelling; hydrological; hydraulic modelling; flood mitigation; catchment; fluvial erosion; stream flows
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0907 Environmental Engineering > 090702 Environmental Engineering Modelling
09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090509 Water Resources Engineering
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4011 Environmental engineering > 401199 Environmental engineering not elsewhere classified
40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400513 Water resources engineering
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/18375

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