A finite element one-dimensional kinematic wave rainfall-runoff model

Abstract

This paper introduces a simplified distributed rainfall-runoff model based on the combination of a finite element model with the US SCS method. Excess rainfall is estimated from rainfall, soil and land-use properties according to the SCS. The approximation of river flow uses finite elements, while overland and channel flows are simulated by one-dimensional kinematic wave equations. The finite element algorithm for solving the one-dimensional kinematic wave equations is based on lumped schemes and a third order Runge–Kutta method. The proposed model is applied to estimate the flood flow in the Tra Khuc River Basin. The obtained results show the promise of this method for practical application.