Flood risk assessment and management for urban areas in Brazilian Pantanal using free and open source GIS software

Abstract

The present work provides city managers a tool to strategically deploy a flood risk assessment and management, with statistical, technological and graphical approaches. For risk assessment, the return period of the years between 1977 and 2017 was analysed, comprising a historical series of 40 years of maximum quotas and maximum flows. Researchers used the QuantumGis 2.18 platform to deploy flood risk mapping. Maps with flood risk levels within the urban area of study are presented, built as 3D models. The calculation of the return period estimation for flood risk is a reliable tool to understand the dynamics of a water body inserted in an urban area. Thus, it is possible to deploy scenarios with statistical background to aid decision making with regard to risk assessment. Technology-based information is key to support decision making, helping cities to raise funds to deploy risk management actions. The use of a free and open source GIS software such as QuantumGis presents a low cost, efficient and interface-friendly platform to solve flood management issues.