Evaluation of the risk of flooding on the Santa Barbara River

In our country there is no technical regulation to determine areas susceptible to river floods and evaluate their economic damage. The project proposes to evaluate methodologies used internationally for flood risk management: (i) Flood danger analysis: It consists of delimiting areas susceptible to flooding. For this analysis, several hydraulic models will be used to calculate the flood levels. The results of the models and the topography will allow the flood areas. (Ii) Flood danger analysis: It allows quantifying the economic cost of a flood event. For this component, the MAZUS-MH software methodology will be used. First the damage curves will be obtained. Then, together with the flood maps, the cost of damage to homes and crops will be estimated. In the final stage several interventions scenarios will be evaluated to mitigate the risk of flooding. The project results will allow methodological guides for the analysis of flood risk, which will be a very useful tool for municipalities that suffer the effects of these natural events in their territory. This will allow a technical management of alluvial plains, through standards and regulations for land use. The Sta. Barbara River will be used as a case as it passes through the city of Gualaceo.

XIII UNIVERSITY COMPETITION FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS