Application of dynamic and conceptual models for simulating flow hydrographs in an urbanized catchment under conditions of controlled outflow from stormwater tanks

Abstract

Abstract The main aim of the research presented in the work was to assess the usefulness of the dynamic SWMM (stormwater management model) and the conceptual SBUH (Santa Barbara Urban Hydrograph) model for simulating and predicting flow hydrographs in a small urbanized catchment under conditions of controlled (using valves) outflow from stormwater retention tanks in response to rainfall events. Most of the analyzed catchment of the Służewiecki Stream consists of the area beneath F. Chopin International Airport in Warsaw. A further aim of the study was the development of method for indicating the concentration time for a given rainfall–runoff event, where the influence of delaying the outflow of stormwater from the catchment as a result of its retention in tanks on the value of this parameter will be accounted for. The values of the median of absolute errors, obtained in a simulation using the SWMM in relation to peak flows and hydrograph volumes for the analyzed events, were 15.4 and 18.4%, respectively. The adequate values of simulation errors, obtained in the SBUH model using concentration times determined according to the developed method, were 11.4 and 15.4%. Satisfactory results of simulations were received using both models.