A comparative application of flood routing models on the rivers Wear and Tees with special reference to the state variable model

Abstract

An analysis of a number of flood routing methods has been carried out in this study. These methods are namely, the Muskingum-Cunge Method, the Variable Parameter Diffusion Method, the State Variable Kinematic Wave Model, and the state variable modelling of nonlinear Muskingum Model. The Muskingum-Cunge and Variable Parameter Diffusion Methods are recommended for use on British Rivers by the Natural Environment Research Council flood studies report, 1975.In using numerical flood routing model, it is very important to calculate the model parameters. For instance storage routing models require a suitable form of storage-discharge relationship. Past flow records were used for the above calculation. The state Variable Kinematic Wave Model has been applied for routing the flood hydrograph through river reaches. The stage and discharge are computed by a kinematic wave routing technique using the state variable approach in which the one-dimensional differential equations of unsteady flow are solved by state and output equations of the state variable model. The nonlinear Muskingum equation has been solved using the state variable modelling technique. Two parameter estimation techniques namely, Hooke-Jeeves and linear regression, are employed for the calibration of the nonlinear Muskingum model parameters (a, x, and m).The applicability of the flood routing model computer programs to different flood events of different seasons for reaches of both the Rivers Wear and Tees is demonstrated. Discriptions of the geology and hydrological data for reaches of both the Rivers Wear and Tees are given in this study. The computed and observed hydrographs of flood routing models used in this study are compared.