Flood Simulation for Reservoir Filling

The ability to predict how water will behave when filling a reservoir is essential for planning and managing water resources. For those interested in civil engineering, hydrology, and risk management, this python script provides a useful tool for calculating the volume and flood depth when a reservoir begins to fill. In this example the python script is executed in Spyder 5.

Practical Applications

1. Reservoir Planning and Design Creating and managing reservoirs requires a detailed understanding of how water will distribute in the surrounding environment. This script helps simulate filling scenarios, allowing for adjustments to the design and storage capacity of the reservoir to maximize efficiency and safety.
2. Water Resource Management Knowing the exact volume of stored water and the extent of flooding is crucial for sustainable water resource management. This script facilitates informed decision-making regarding water distribution, especially in regions with water scarcity.
3. Flood Prevention Flood simulations help identify risk areas and plan mitigation measures. This script can be a valuable tool for authorities and organizations responsible for civil protection, helping reduce the impact of extreme events and protect lives and properties.
4. Environmental Studies Assessing the environmental impact of new reservoirs is essential for preserving local ecosystems. This script provides detailed data on the extent and depth of flooding, allowing for more accurate analyses of how land use changes affect the environment.
5. Research and Education For researchers and educators, this tool offers a practical way to teach and study hydrological phenomena. Students can learn about water dynamics and the importance of modeling in natural resource management.

Script Benefits

• Attractive Visualization The script’s visualization capabilities allow overlaying flood data on satellite images, offering a clear and understandable representation of the results. Vector layers, such as rivers and reservoirs, are included only for visualization and do not affect the calculations.
• Availability and Accessibility The script is available to everyone for evaluation and analysis. It is a first step that requires improvements but could be useful for those seeking a foundation to develop more complex and accurate simulations.

Code Availability

The complete script, along with an animation showing the progression of the flood, is available in our GitHub repository. This animation incrementally increases the water level, providing a dynamic visualization of how the reservoir fills and floods the surrounding area.

This script demonstrates the potential of modern GIS tools to address complex challenges in water resource management and environmental planning. For those interested in exploring further, the complete code is available on GitHub, providing a solid foundation for customization and expansion based on specific project needs.