Limitation
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TIN data
Since the TIN data is the foundation of creating geometric data during pre-processing and floodplain mapping during post-processing, the inaccuracy of TIN map is considered a significant limitation. There is some noticeable limitation in TIN quality at some location in the floodplain due to the contours resolution.
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Cross-sections
Digitizing cross-section layer is considered one of the most important steps during pre-processing, and hydraulic analyses and floodplain mapping are both based on cross-sections. Consequently, any errors of the cross-section will reflect on the final results. Due to lack of field investigation, all cross-sections for this project is drawn manually based on aerial photos and TIN maps, which means there is no validation process of the correctness of cross-sections. In this point, the cross-section is able to be considered a non-negligible limitation.
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Land use layer
There is no existing land use layer with appropriate Manning’s n values. For this project, Manning’s n values are manually assigned based on the table mentioned above (Chow, 1959).
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Flood Intensity Estimation
Flow Data gaps will cause inaccuracy of flood intensity estimation and there is a better log curve called log-Pearson Type 3 to be able to improve the estimation results.
Recommendation
All the limitations identified of the project bring a negative contribution to the quality of final results, and the following section provides a set recommendations aimed to improve the accuracy of future floodplain mapping or analyses.
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New generated cross-sections should be investigated for Chilliwack River and Tributaries in the area. Cross-sections should be surveyed looking at downstream direction, and they are supposed to be wide enough to span the whole floodplain area.
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The accuracy of DEM data (TIN) should be improved, and the new cross-sections should be based on the accurate TIN model.
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The land use shape file with appropriate Manning’s n should be verified based on the field invested data. In this point, Manning’s values could be automatically and accurately assigned to each cross-section during the pre-processing phase.