Morphometric analysis of low mountains for mapping flash flood susceptibility in headwaters

Balázs Víg (), Szabolcs Ákos Fábian, Szabolcs Czigány, Ervin Pirkhoffer, Ákos Halmai, István Péter Kovács, Gábor Varga, József Dezső, Gábor Nagy and Dénes Lóczy
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Balázs Víg: University of Pécs
Szabolcs Ákos Fábian: University of Pécs
Szabolcs Czigány: University of Pécs
Ervin Pirkhoffer: University of Pécs
Ákos Halmai: University of Pécs
István Péter Kovács: University of Pécs
Gábor Varga: University of Pécs
József Dezső: University of Pécs
Gábor Nagy: South-Transdanubian Water Management Directorate
Dénes Lóczy: University of Pécs

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2022, vol. 114, issue 3, No 36, 3235-3254

Abstract: Abstract Morphometric indices from high-resolution DEMs can contribute to the estimation of flash flood susceptibility in mountainous areas. We have screened 25 morphometric indices commonly used in literature, and based on a correlation matrix, selected those which showed the strongest relationship with flash flood generation: area (A), drainage texture (Rt), drainage density (Dd), elongation ratio (Re), form factor (Ff), lemniscate method (k), Gravelius coefficient (GC), forested area (Fa) and relief ratio (Rr). Among them Dd, Rt and Rr had a direct impact on flash flood generation, while A, Re, Fa, Ff, k and GC are in inverse relationship with the intensity of flash floods. Our summary map shows the prioritization of the watersheds on a scale of 0 to 9. The flash flood susceptibility ranking was empirically verified using hydrological data (20-year water regime obtained from 14 official stream gauges). Our conclusions only partially agree with former observations which may be explained by the particular lithology and morphology of the Mecsek Mountains. Since the lower sections of the watersheds are urbanized, for optimal watershed management more detailed GIS analyses of anthropogenic controls on flash flood hazard are needed in the future.

Keywords: Morphometric indices; Watershed prioritization; Flash flood susceptibility; Runoff; Compactness; Mecsek mountains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05513-6

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