Research Article

Estimating flash flood discharge in an ungauged mountain catchment with 2D hydraulic models and dendrogeomorphic palaeostage indicators

  1. J. A. Ballesteros Cánovas1,*,
  2. M. Eguibar2,
  3. J. M. Bodoque3,
  4. A. Díez-Herrero4,
  5. M. Stoffel5,
  6. I. Gutiérrez-Pérez6

Article first published online: 10 NOV 2010

DOI: 10.1002/hyp.7888

Issue

Hydrological Processes

Hydrological Processes

Volume 25, Issue 6, pages 970–979, 15 March 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ballesteros Cánovas, J. A., Eguibar, M., Bodoque, J. M., Díez-Herrero, A., Stoffel, M. and Gutiérrez-Pérez, I. (2011), Estimating flash flood discharge in an ungauged mountain catchment with 2D hydraulic models and dendrogeomorphic palaeostage indicators. Hydrol. Process., 25: 970–979. doi: 10.1002/hyp.7888

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Research and Geoscientific Prospective, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Ríos Rosas 23, Madrid E-28003, Spain

  2. 2

    Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Environment, Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, E-46022, Spain

  3. 3

    Mining and Geological Engineering Department, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Fábrica de Armas, Avda. Carlos III, Toledo E-45071, Spain

  4. 4

    Department of Research and Geoscientific Prospective, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Ríos Rosas 23, Madrid E-28003, Spain

  5. 5

    Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology, Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Berne, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland Chair for Climatic Change and Climate Impacts, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1227 Carouge-Geneva, Switzerland

  6. 6

    Ferrovial-Agromán, Ribera del Loira 42, Madrid, E-28042, Spain

*Department of Research and Geoscientific Prospective, Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Ríos Rosas 23, Madrid E-28003, Spain.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 MAR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 10 NOV 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 2 SEP 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 26 APR 2010

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Keywords:

  • palaeoflood;
  • tree rings;
  • TLS;
  • peak discharge estimation;
  • Spanish Central System

Abstract

There is still wide uncertainty about past flash-flood processes in mountain regions owing to the lack of systematic databases on former events. This paper presents a methodology to reconstruct peak discharge of flash floods and illustrates a case in an ungauged catchment in the Spanish Central System. The use of dendrogeomorphic evidence (i.e. scars on trees) together with the combined use of a two-dimensional (2D) numerical hydraulic model and a terrestrial laser scan (TLS) has allowed estimation of peak discharge of a recent flash flood. The size and height distribution of scars observed in the field have been used to define three hypothetical scenarios (Smin or minimum scenario; Smed or medium scenario; and Smax or maximum scenario), thus illustrating the uncertainty involved in peak-discharge estimation of flash floods in ungauged torrents.

All scars analysed with dendrogeomorphic techniques stem from a large flash flood which took place on 17 December 1997. On the basis of the scenarios, peak discharge is estimated to 79 ± 14 m3 s−1. The average deviation obtained between flood stage and expected scar height was − 0·09 ± 0·53 m. From the data, it becomes obvious that the geomorphic position of trees is the main factor controlling deviation rate. In this sense, scars with minimum deviation were located on trees growing in exposed locations, especially on unruffled bedrock where the model predicts higher specific kinetic energy. The approach used in this study demonstrates the potential of tree-ring analysis in palaeohydrology and for flood-risk assessment in catchments with vulnerable goods and infrastructure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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