Modeling of flood hazard and susceptibility in Komatipoort area in South Africa

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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
university of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Komatipoort, a small town located at the confluence of Komati and Krokodil rivers, is constantly being hit by floods which affect the residents of this small town as well as the farmers settling along the rivers. This study aimed at papping the flood hazard and susceptibility through the integration of GIS techniques and hydraulic modeling. Due to inconsistency in the length of streamflow data in the different gauging stations, a Hydrological modeling HBV model, was utilized to transform precipitation to runoff in order to extend flow records at station X2HO32 for Komati River. Calibration was conducted using observed data from 1982 to 1993, giving an efficiency value of 65% and validation was done using data from 1993 to 1999, giving an efficiency value of 53%. easyFit software was used for analyzing flood frequency and determining flood quantilcs at different return periods. HEC-RAS was utilized to simulate the hydraulic parameters of Komati and Krokodil rivers to obtain flood hazard maps. GIS-based mult-criteria analysis techniques were incorporated for flood susceptibility mapping. Hydraulic analysis showed that the floods mostly affect the farms and settlements along the rivers and a small part of the CHD is affected. Flood susceptibility mapping showed that the area is generally highly susceptible to flooding because of a combination of anthropogenic and natural factors.
Description
Available in print form, EAF Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, (THS EAF GB1399.5.S6K4758)
Keywords
Floods, Flood damage, Hydrologic models, , Komati poort, South Africa
Citation
Khumalo, N (2016) Modeling of flood hazard and susceptibility in Komatipoort area in South Africa, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam