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<br />GJJ481 <br /> <br />OVERVIEW OF FLOOD-WARNING SYSTEMS <br />By <br /> <br />George K. Cotton, P.E, <br />Senior Engineer <br />Simons, L i & Associates, Inc. <br /> <br />System Design Requirements <br />An effective flood-warning system has a data collection network, flood <br />forecasting tools, information and data management, and an emergency warning <br />component, (1) The performance of the entire system is only as good as anyone <br />of these components. As with any complex system, a comprehensive design <br />approach is required which analyzes the overall system strengths and weak- <br />nesses. Emphasis has to placed on backing up potential failure points in <br />a system, such that the fa i 1 ure of anyone component does not lead to sub- <br />sequent failure of the entire system. <br />The recent advances in communication and computer technology are largely <br />responsible for advent of modern flood-warning systems. The ability to <br />acquire data from a variety of sources in "real-time" is part of the com- <br />munication revolution. Watershed telemetry, satell ite remote sensing, and <br />weather radar are examples of real-time data acquisition systems. The availa- <br />bility and falling cost of these systems has lead to their increased use in <br />data acquisition systems. The ability to communicate information during <br />emergency conditions has allowed more informed decision making and the ability <br />to communicate these decisions more effectively. <br />Because of better communication capability, large amounts of information <br />and data must be synthesized by a flood-warning system.(2) The computer is <br />obviously the device that has made this process feasible. The computer is <br />able to execute complex tasks such as spatial precipitation estimates, fore- <br />casts of runoff and analysis of flood control strategies that greatly enhance <br />the deci s i on mak i ng process. Imp 1 ementat i on of an effect i ve software sys tem <br />that performs these complex tasks can enable a manager to easily address 'what <br />if?' questions. For example, what would the runoff conditions be in an urba- <br />nized watershed if the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast of an approaching <br />thunder cell were to occur. Or, what would be the runoff for the same fore- <br />cast if reservoir releases were increased to their maximum allowable levels <br />prior to the arrival of the storm. <br />The technological improvements in communications and computer systems for <br />