Distributed flow guided hydraulic modeling of a desert river system for flood control

Flood control management and policies that formed the foundation of the Upper New River Area Drainage Master Plan (ADMP) in Phoenix, Arizona took into account engineering, environmental, landscape, social, and economic considerations. Flood control alternatives evaluated took into consideration the compatibility of a given alternative with the natural desert/semi-arid environment and the scenic beauty of the study area. A two-dimensional hydraulic model was developed for a portion of the Upper New River to study the flow dynamics at selected flow split locations and gravel/borrow mine pits within the ADMP study area. The physical characteristics of the Upper New River included areas of split flow, tributary flow, in-channel mine pits that were post-FIS (Flood Insurance Study), critical flow breakout locations, braids, perched channels, and roadway crossings. Given the significant interaction between the main channel and the adjacent terraces and the overbanks, FLO-2D was the software of choice.