City & Urban Flood Management involves the continuous monitoring, measurement, and control of water levels, flow velocity, and discharge in urban areas to prevent flooding, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage. Using non-contact radar sensors, flow velocity measurement devices, and data loggers with real-time communication, these systems track rivers, drains, canals, and reservoirs to provide accurate and timely data. Discharge is calculated by combining water level and flow measurements, and for wide or complex channels, multiple measurement points are used to account for variations in velocity. The collected data is analyzed to detect anomalies, predict flood events, and trigger early warnings, enabling authorities to take proactive measures such as operating pumps, gates, or drainage systems. By integrating continuous monitoring, predictive analysis, and real-time alerts, City & Urban Flood Management helps cities optimize infrastructure, reduce flood risks, and enhance urban resilience effectively.
How City & Urban Flood Management Works
Urban flood management systems operate through a combination of continuous monitoring, data transmission, and predictive analysis:
- Monitoring Water Levels and Flow:
- Water level sensors are installed in rivers, canals, drains, and reservoirs to continuously record water height.
- Flow velocity is measured at key points to understand how fast water is moving through the drainage network.
- Discharge Measurement:
- Discharge is calculated by combining water level and velocity measurements to determine the total volume of water flowing through a channel or river section.
- For wide rivers or large drainage systems, measurements are taken at multiple points across the cross-section to account for variations in flow.
- Tools and Techniques Used:
- Non-contact radar sensors are used to measure water level and flow velocity safely, without interfering with the water body.
- Data loggers and communication modules transmit collected information in real-time to monitoring centers.
- Optional visual monitoring can be integrated for observational verification.
- Data Analysis and Alerts:
- Collected data is processed on a central platform to visualize trends, detect anomalies, and generate predictive models.
- Early warning alerts can be issued when water levels or flow exceed safe thresholds, allowing timely preventive action.
Applications and Benefits of City & Urban Flood Management
City & Urban Flood Management systems provide actionable insights for urban planners, municipal authorities, and emergency response teams. They help:
- Detect rising water levels in drains, rivers, and canals.
- Predict overflow and flooding in vulnerable urban zones.
- Optimize operation of pumps, gates, and drainage infrastructure.
- Support long-term flood planning and mitigation strategies.
- Reduce property damage, waterlogging, and risk to public safety.
By measuring water levels, flow velocity, and discharge continuously using radar-based sensors, flow monitoring devices, and real-time data integration, cities can adopt proactive, data-driven flood management instead of reactive measures, improving resilience and minimizing the impact of heavy rainfall events.
Products Used in City & Urban Flood Management
1. Discharge Radar RQ-30 ADMS
The RQ-30 ADMS is a compact, all-in-one discharge measurement system designed for accurate flow and water level monitoring in rivers, drainage systems, and stormwater channels. Using non-contact radar technology, it measures flow velocity and water level simultaneously — ideal for flood-prone urban areas.
Its built-in data logger and 2-way wireless communication allow remote data access and real-time analysis. The autonomous battery system and solar charging option make it suitable for long-term field deployment. With E-mail and SMS notifications, authorities can receive immediate flood alerts. Additionally, the RQ-30 ADMS can integrate with a time-lapse camera, enabling visual observation of water bodies during flood events.
Key Technical Highlights:
- Measuring Range: 0–15 m (standard), 0–35 m (extended)
- Accuracy: ±2 mm for water level; ±0.01 m/s for velocity
- Radar Frequency: 26 GHz for level, 24 GHz for velocity
- Wireless data transmission via 2G/3G/4G networks
- Built-in data logger with up to 500,000 values
Use in Flood Management:
The RQ-30 ADMS helps detect rising water levels in urban drains, rivers, or stormwater channels, sending early alerts to control centers. Its non-contact technology ensures safe, continuous operation even during heavy rain or high-velocity flows.
2. Discharge Radar Sensor RQ-30D
The RQ-30D is specifically engineered for wide rivers or large urban waterways where water velocity varies across different sections. Using multiple radar sensors — one master and several slave units — it measures velocity at multiple points, achieving precise discharge calculations even in complex flow conditions.
This multi-point discharge monitoring system provides reliable data for assessing flood volume and flow behavior in large catchments or near river bends and confluences. The RQ-30D’s non-contact, flood-proof design ensures accuracy without requiring structural modifications or direct contact with water.
Key Technical Highlights:
- Measures flow velocity up to 16 m/s
- Accuracy: ±0.01 m/s; ±1% FS
- Water Level Measuring Range: 0–15 m / 0–35 m
- Operates in temperatures from –35°C to 60°C
- Supports RS-485, Modbus, and SDI-12 communication
Use in Flood Management:
In City & Urban Flood Management, the RQ-30D provides critical data on river discharge and velocity variation across wide cross-sections. This helps authorities model flood behavior more accurately, understand backwater effects, and take preventive actions such as diverting flow or reinforcing embankments.
Integration in Smart Flood Management Systems
Both RQ-30 ADMS and RQ-30D can be integrated with centralized IoT-based monitoring platforms, where real-time data is visualized on dashboards. The combined use of these sensors allows:
- Continuous monitoring of rainfall runoff and drainage flow
- Prediction of peak discharge and overflow conditions
- Real-time alerts to city control centers via web or mobile dashboards
- Data-driven flood forecasting and infrastructure planning
Together, they form a reliable foundation for smart, automated, and preventive City & Urban Flood Management — helping reduce flood impact, protect infrastructure, and ensure safety for urban populations.
Applications
- Urban drainage network monitoring
- Stormwater and sewage overflow detection
- River and canal flood prediction
- Infrastructure and bridge safety surveillance
- Smart city flood alert systems
Get In Touch
Enhance resilience and safety in urban areas with intelligent City & Urban Flood Management systems powered by accurate discharge and level monitoring.
Contact us today to learn more about these technologies or to design a solution suited to your city’s needs.
