Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

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Description

This study investigates the impacts of compound flooding in the Lower Fish River watershed, Baldwin County, Alabama, with a focus on the potential effects of sea level rise due to climate change. Coastal flooding, particularly in smaller watersheds, is a growing concern as it results from the interaction of multiple factors, including rainfall, tidal changes, and extreme weather events. Compound flooding, which involves multiple flood drivers, is expected to worsen with climate change, as increased precipitation and rising sea levels create heightened flood risks. However, existing research on compound flooding predominantly focuses on large-scale watersheds, leaving a knowledge gap in smaller coastal areas. The study utilizes the Sedimentation and River Hydraulics-Two-Dimensional (SRH-2D) model, which simulates two-dimensional flow dynamics and sediment transport, to explore how changes in water levels and precipitation patterns affect flooding in the Lower Fish River basin. By simulating future sea level rise scenarios for 2050 and 2100, this research aims to assess how flood extents and durations will evolve. This research will provide insights into the non-linear impacts of sea level rise on coastal flooding, offering valuable data for local communities in Baldwin County and similar coastal areas. The results will also contribute to the growing body of knowledge on managing flooding risks in smaller, more vulnerable watersheds. The research is still at an early stage and there are no results generated yet, but the expected outcome will show an exponential increase in flooded areas due to sea level rise and a longer flood duration in the watershed.

Publication Date

3-2025

Department

Civil, Coastal, Environmental Engineering

City

Mobile

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Computational Engineering | Environmental Engineering | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Hydrology | Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing | Other Civil and Environmental Engineering | Other Earth Sciences | Water Resource Management

Modelled Flooding Impacts on Lower Fish River Watershed

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