Impacts of Climate Change on Urban Drainage Systems by Future Short-Duration Design Rainstorms

Abstract

The adverse impacts of climate change and urbanization are converging to challenge the waterlogging control measures established in the Dong Hao Chong (DHC) Basin. Based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios, the future (2030–2050) waterlogging was assessed for the DHC basin and combined with future design rainfall. The delta change factors were projected using the regional climate model, RegCM4.6, and the annual maximum one-day rainstorm was modified to develop the annual maximum value method. By combining the delta change and annual maximum value methods, a future short-duration design rainstorm formula is developed in this study. The Chicago hyetograph shapes indicated that the peak rainfall intensity and amount both increase in the five return periods with two RCP scenarios. The InfoWorks ICM urban flood model is used to simulate the hydrological response. The results show that climate change will exacerbate urban waterlogging in DHC Basin. The maximum inundation volume and number of inundation nodes were expected to increase in the five return periods under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. The submerged area is increasing due to climate change. This study highlights the link between climate change and urban drainage systems, and suggests that the effect of climate change in extreme rainfall should be considered in urban waterlogging management and drainage system design.