Integration of UAV Digital Surface Model and HEC-HMS Hydrological Model System in iRIC Hydrological Simulation—A Case Study of Wu River

Abstract

This research investigates flood susceptibility in the mid- and downstream areas of Taiwan’s Wu River, historically prone to flooding in central Taiwan. The study integrates the Hydrologic Engineering Center—Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) for flow simulations with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived digital surface models (DSMs) at varying resolutions. Flood simulations, executed through the International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC), assess flood depths using diverse DSM resolutions. Notably, HEC-HMS simulations exhibit commendable Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) exceeding 0.88 and a peak flow percentage error (PEPF) below 5%, indicating excellent suitability. In iRIC flood simulations, optimal results emerge with a 2 m resolution UAV-DSM. Furthermore, the study incorporates rainfall data at different recurrence intervals in iRIC flood simulations, presenting an alternative flood modeling approach. This research underscores the efficacy of integrating UAV-DSM into iRIC flood simulations, enabling precise flood depth assessment and risk analysis for flood control management.