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Published Paper PDF: PDF
Ira Yadav
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Modeling urban stormwater runoff is critical for effective flood control in densely populated areas. The EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) provides a hydrologic and hydraulic framework to simulate surface runoff, conveyance, and storage in urban catchments. This study develops a SWMM-based model calibrated with data from a medium‐sized watershed in City X, using historic rainfall and flow records up to 2013. The methodology encompasses watershed delineation, parameter estimation, and sensitivity analysis. Five research objectives guide the work: (1) characterize pre‐development hydrologic response, (2) assess land‐use impacts on runoff volume, (3) calibrate SWMM parameters against observed flows, (4) perform statistical analysis of model performance, and (5) evaluate scenario‐based flood mitigation measures. A statistical analysis, including Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency and percent bias, is presented in a comparative table. Simulation experiments under baseline and mitigation scenarios (detention basins, permeable pavements) demonstrate reductions in peak flows by up to 25 %. Results indicate SWMM’s suitability for urban flood prediction and guide design of control structures. The study concludes that strategic low‐impact development can reduce flood risk, and recommends further application of SWMM in city‐wide planning.
Keywords
Stormwater runoff, SWMM, urban flood control, model calibration, low‐impact development
References
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