Application of Risk-Based Analysis to Planning Reservoir and Levee Flood Damage Reduction System
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) policy is to apply risk-based analysis in the formulation and evaluation of flood damage reduction projects. These projects include dams and reservoirs, levees and flood walls, diversions, channel modifications, bypass channels, and a variety of nonstructural measures. Most projects include more than one measure, particularly projects that include reservoirs. This policy is viewed as a significant step forward in improving the basis for Corps project development. The risk-based analysis approach explicitly incorporates uncertainty of key parameters and functions into project formulation, benefits, and performance analyses. Particular focus is the impact of the uncertainty in the discharge-probability, elevation-discharge, and elevation-damage functions that represent effects of the proposed protective works. Reservoir projects that reduce flood damage result in a downstream reduction in flood frequency. This paper briefly describes the risk-based analysis approach in contrast to historical project development study methods, and presents results of a recent risk-based analysis for the American River (near Sacramento, California, USA) project studies. Comments are offered on technical issues of methods and data, communication of risk-based analysis results with local officials and the public, and project design implications of the policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA391014
Entities
People
- Darryl W. Davis
- David M. Goldman
- Earl Eiker