Detailed inundation modelling using high resolution DEMs

With the availability of high resolution DEMs, relevant and detailed inundation maps may now be routinely computed provided that suited flow models are available. The full 2D flow model presented in this paper has been used to compute such maps on 800 km of the main rivers of the Walloon Region in Belgium. The use of grid spacing of 1 m, similar to the DEM resolution, enables to accurately predict the pattern of flood depth. This is confirmed by several application examples, which also demonstrate the ability of the model to reproduce depth measurements for a wide range of flood discharges without the need for recalibration of the roughness coefficient. The numerical model has been systematically validated by comparison with observations during recent real flood events. It shows a very good agreement with field data, in particular regarding free surface elevations and inundation extension.