Risk Assessment of Rainwater Overflow from Lake Warouwaye in the Case of a Ten-Year Rainfall in Yeumbeul North, Senegal

Abstract

This study is a part of a global approach in which, the main purpose is to understand the reasons behind the upsurge of flood events in the peri-urban area of the city of Dakar. Hydrological and hydraulics simulations were carried out to assess the risks of overflowing of the Lake Warouwaye after a so-called exceptional rain. Data were collected through field surveys, as well as site observations of dwellings before and after rain episodes. The simulations were performed using EPA’s Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) software with input data obtained from sub-software and supervisory applications such as Google Earth, Excel, and Global Mapper. The simulation results show factors of natural and anthropogenic origin may contribute to dysfunction hydrological elements such as the watershed capacity to drain and store water. In light of the results of this study, institutional governance efforts are to be made and to be sustained in order to reverse the tendency to occupy rainwater natural flow channels. It will also be necessary to involve the first actors who are the potential victims of flooding caused by the recurrent overflow of reservoirs.