Integration of heuristic knowledge with analytical tools for the selection of flood damage reduction measures

Abstract

Heuristic knowledge has been integrated with analytical tools to support decision making for flood management. Development of an expert system called Intelligent Flood Management System for the selection of appropriate flood damage reduction measures for a given area is described. The selection of flood damage reduction measures is based on hydraulic, hydrological, geotechnical, environmental, and economic factors related to the river system and the area to be protected from floods. The knowledge base of the Intelligent Flood Management System is generic and can be used to identify a suitable flood management option for any area. The model base of the Intelligent Flood Management System consists of the hydraulic analysis package HEC-RAS, the flood damage analysis program HEC-FDA, and a model for economic analysis. The graphical user interface is developed for effective communication with the system. The developed system has been implemented to identify appropriate flood damage reduction options for the town of Ste. Agathe in Manitoba, Canada using data from 1997 flood in the Red River Basin.Key words: flood control, flood management, structural measures, heuristic knowledge, decision support systems, expert systems.