Integrated GIS and HEC-RAS modeling for flood and sediment mitigation in tropical watersheds
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55749/ijewre.v1i1.169Keywords:
Flood mitigation, HEC-RAS, Hydraulic modeling, GIS, Sediment transport, Watershed managementAbstract
Flooding and sediment-related disasters frequently occur in tropical watersheds due to rapid land-use change, increasing rainfall intensity, and declining river channel capacity. These environmental problems are becoming more severe in developing regions where watershed management and sediment-control infrastructure remain limited. This study aims to evaluate flood characteristics, sediment transport dynamics, and mitigation strategies using an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) modeling approach in a tropical watershed environment. Hydrological analysis was conducted using rainfall data, watershed morphometric characteristics, river geometry, and hydraulic parameters to estimate peak discharge and flood propagation under unsteady flow conditions. GIS-based spatial analysis was further applied to identify erosion-prone areas, sediment source zones, and hydraulic bottlenecks contributing to flood vulnerability within the watershed system. The study integrates hydraulic simulation, sediment transport analysis, watershed morphometry, and spatial assessment into a comprehensive flood and sediment mitigation framework. The integrated approach represents an important contribution because previous studies generally focused only on flood modeling or erosion assessment separately, without combining hydraulic analysis, sediment dynamics, and spatial conservation planning within a unified framework. The simulation results indicate that several river reaches are hydraulically incapable of safely conveying peak discharge during extreme rainfall events, resulting in significant overflow potential and flood inundation risk. Areas characterized by steep slopes, degraded land cover, and high surface runoff contribute substantially to sediment production and downstream sedimentation. The proposed mitigation measures significantly improve channel conveyance capacity, reduce flood risk, and enhance sediment retention effectiveness within critical river sections. The findings demonstrate that the integration of GIS and HEC-RAS provides an effective framework for sustainable flood and sediment management in tropical watersheds and can be adapted for other river basins experiencing similar environmental challenges.
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