Integration of GIS Data based SWAT and SWMM Models for Urban Catchment Flood Simulation and Management

Abstract

The rapid growth of urban areas has made urban flooding a severe concern because cities contain more paved surfaces and aging drainage systems combined with rising rainfall intensity. A GIS-driven hybrid modeling combination of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) was used by researchers to evaluate flood behaviors in Wakad Watershed of Mula River within Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Pune District Maharashtra India. The SWAT model utilized historical rainfall data from 1993 to 2023 to conduct both calibration and validation of hydrological simulations at the catchment level. Simulation of urban drainage behavior during 2007 and 2019’s major flood events was achieved by linking SWMM with the model outputs. The model received its performance assessment through statistical measurement of Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) along with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Accurate prediction outcomes became possible through the hybrid model because it’s achieved NSE values exceeding 0.85 and peak flow calculation errors that fell below 3%. The combined optimization strategy produced a 41% reduction of RMSE while using individual hydrologic and hydraulic models. The study demonstrates that integrating SWAT-SWMM modeling through GIS tools creates a powerful solution which optimizes urban flood forecasting alongside drainage evaluations and water resource sustainability planning for developing urban zones.