Overview
Rapid and uncontrolled urban growth and land use changes have increased surface runoff within metropolitan areas worldwide, and coupled with climate change this creates risk for residents during the rainy season. The city of San Luis Potosí is no exception — the Garita Stream flows inside the city near urbanization, making it essential to analyze the effects of urban sprawl on this stream.
Model Setup
Hydrological and topographical information was required for the study. The basin’s hydrology was analyzed through its geomorphology and historical climatological data, while the stream’s topography was captured using aerial photogrammetry with a UAV and GNSS survey equipment. Numerical modeling was performed using 1D, 2D, and 3D tools — SWMM5, HEC-RAS, and EFDC Explorer — simulating different return periods and their correlation with current flooding events recorded in the area.
Key Findings
The simulations identified when the Garita Stream would overflow and which areas are most likely to flood. By analyzing the results across various return periods and correlating them with historical flood events, the study proposes solutions to mitigate the overflow problems in the area.