Geographical analysis of flood risks in the Balkian River Basin using the (HEC-1)-(WMS) model

Abstract

abstract

          Floods represent a major environmental threat in many regions, particularly those with rugged terrain and high annual rainfall. The Balakian River basin, for example, has an average terrain ruggedness of 81.6 m/km and receives approximately 969.1 mm of rainfall annually. This study is significant as it focuses on evaluating flood hazards by analyzing both their intensity and spatial distribution within the area. To accomplish this, the research utilized the HEC-1 model within the Watershed Modeling System (WMS), along with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools. Findings revealed that the total yearly water discharge from all tributaries amounts to roughly 10,487,489.4 cubic meters. Among the sub-basins, Khorran recorded the highest discharge volume at 3,493,779.75 m³, while Shekhan had the lowest at 494,945.5 m³. Additionally, the average flood response time in the Shekhan and Sitkan basins was found to be under three hours, identifying them as high-risk areas for potential flooding.