HWRFCDE - EJ Detention Pond, LID and Dual Drainage April 11, 2024

Mandulog River With Levees and Bridge Modeling Using HEC-RAS

Pangilinan, Patrick M.
Patrick M. Pangilinan, Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University; [email protected]

Pranilla, Russel Vincent J.

Russel Vincent J. Pranilla, Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University; [email protected]

Tabang, Christine P.
Christine P. Tabang - EJ, Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University; [email protected]

Tolete, Baron Von Eric D,

Baron Von Eric D. Tolete - EJ, Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University; [email protected]

Abstract: A 25- and 50-year return period rainfall was simulated in the Mandulog River Basin for flood analysis and
identification of areas that needed to be protected with levees. A calibration of the basin for terrain characterization and
establishment of the boundary conditions were initiated to enable the computation and analysis of water behavior. Although the
levees were successfully implemented in the model, results showed that leakages are still observed in the protected areas and
communities. This could also suggest that a better understanding and calibration of the terrain be further developed and use of
smaller grid size DEM can help in better representation of the terrain.

Keywords: Mandulog River Basin, HEC-RAS, river analysis, flood hazard mapping, Digital Elevation Model (DEM),
hydraulic structure and bridge analysis

As seen from Figure 1.1, the majority of the soils within the
1 BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
Mandulog River Basin are clay loam to the southeastern
portions and undifferentiated to the northwestern portions.
1.1 Mandulog River Basin
In terms of land covers, the upstream of the river basin are
Mandulog River Basin is located to the north of Mindanao. classified as forests and shrubland towards the downstream.
The basin area is at around 791 square kilometers and the At the edge most of the downstream towards northeast,
flow of the river is to the northwest direction. The there are small portions of the basin classified as built-up
Mandulog River traverses the city of Iligan and the (see Figure 1.2).
municipalities of Lanao del Sur and Misamis Oriental.
Figure 1.1 shows the location of the Mandulog River Basin
in reference to the map of the Philippines. In forecasting
flood and flood hazard mapping, some of the most
important data in a given terrain are its classifications of
land uses and the roughness coefficient of these land
surfaces designated throughout the terrain boundary. The
land use classifications determine the degree of permeability
of the surfaces against the incoming water or the water
ponding of the surface runoff. The roughness coefficient,
also called Manning’s coefficient, determines the water flow
variability.
Figure 1.1 Mandulog River Basin Soil Map

Figure 1.0 Mandulog River Basin Location Map Figure 1.2 Mandulog River Basin Land Cover

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1.2 Basin Model Development Using HEC RAS of the Mandulog River in the event of rainfall. Figure 1.3
Software shows the perimeter boundary used in one of the modeling.
The Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System
1.3 Hydraulic Structure
(HEC-RAS) is one of the hydraulic modeling software
capable of analyzing river flow and behavior in a time-series As generally defined, hydraulic structure is any structure
manner. HEC-RAS can answer hydraulic questions like the that is partially or completely submerged in water and that
depth and flow speed of surface runoff under a given rainfall aids in the efficient and better management of water
data that is simulated in the area being modeled (Polo). resources. Water structures such as dams, levees, and
storm-water conveyance function to aid better management
A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data of the study area is
of water resources. Other hydraulic structures function to
one of the required data to enable modeling of the river.
protect and preserve the area where these are placed or
Within that DEM, other parameters, such as slope,
constructed, especially in situations where water may bring
roughness coefficient, land cover, and boundary conditions
catastrophic impact to the area such as flooding and
are calibrated unless the obtained DEM data is an updated
high-intensity rainfall. In the modeling of the Mandulog
and a cleaned data. The DEM serves as a data in
River, certain areas along the sides of the Mandulog River
determining the direction and the speed of waterflow. It is
will be designed for the construction of levees to protect the
also important that prior to modeling of the river that
communities nearby from flooding. The levees must be
includes precipitation as boundary conditions, the basin is
designed to minimize the spreading of water or flooding
delineated in a boundary that only contributed to the flood
whenever the river is expected to overflow during
analysis. The Mandulog River Basin has an observed inflow
high-intensity. A bridge will also be designed to connect the
or baseflow of 129 m3/s.
communities separated by the Mandulog River.
In building the model of Mandulog River, the characteristics
The efficient design for the hydraulic structure takes great
of the terrain is imported to the software in the form of
considerations of the observed physical and material
raster format including the spatial reference so that the
behavior of water, physical characteristics of the area, fluid
terrain can be overlain via satellite map. Further
mechanics, weather forecast and well as the physical
characterization of the model includes calibration of the
performance of the structures used.
roughness coefficient, land cover, and the average slope
through the terrain model. To enable analysis of the
flooding, the boundary conditions for the precipitation,
inflow and outflow are established as well in the model.
Another factor that determines the accuracy of the modeling
of the river and flood analysis is the grid size of the DEM
model. The smaller the grid sizes of the used DEM, the
better is the representation of the terrain and the capture of
the water upon simulations.

Figure 1.4 Levee Protecting the Riverside Community

2 OBJECTIVES
The objective of this modeling is to simulate a theoretical
25 and 50-year rainfall in the Mandulog River, analyze the
flood behavior, identify critical areas in the basin occupied
by communities or near the communities and then apply the
necessary hydraulic structures, levees and bridge, that will
help protect and preserve the area. Particularly, following
Figure 1.3 Perimeter Boundary for the Mandulog DEM are the main objectives of the modeling.

Boundaries are the borders that define the catchment area or ● Established the perimeter of interest study area
a subcatchment area. Ideally, boundaries are the highest ● Set the boundary conditions for the observed base
flows, calibrate the corresponding land uses and
elevations of land surrounding the catchment area. In this
roughness coefficient in the model
project, the perimeter boundary for the catchment area was ● Analyze flooding behavior in the area with and
traced on the peaks of the surrounding mountains and the without rainfall in the simulations
surrounding low-lands that contribute to the discharge flow ● Design levees and bridges in response to the
observed flooding behavior.

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HWRFCDE - EJ Detention Pond, LID and Dual Drainage April 11, 2024

3 DESIGN FEATURES AND THEORIES USED IN ANALYSIS 3.2 Boundary Conditions

3.1 Grids, Breaklines And Mesh Refinements The boundary condition for the inflow was added on the
upstream portion while the outflow boundary condition was
The resolution of the DEM data used in the modeling was added on the downstream portion, where the river meets the
fine enough to perform a good simulation however, it still sea. Additionally, some segments were added to allow water
needed cleaning and corrections for the raster file, profiling at the various sections along the Mandulog River.
particularly the DEM for the riverbed. In the initial The profile lines allow assessment of the water level on
simulation, there were portions of the riverside that certain sections along the river and at certain times in the
exhibited leaking, water was entering the ponded area simulations.
unreasonably. The data for segments of pixels may be
different or far from the actual causing some of the river
water to leak. Moreover, the elevation or correct terrain for
the river itself needs to be corrected as well.

Reinforcement of breaklines on the left and right sides of

the river helps in further enhancing the terrain model. A
preprocessed breaklines at the left and right sides of the
Mandulog River were added (see Figure 3.0). This created a
higher elevation boundary beside the river so that leaking or
overtopping of water is minimized. After adding the
breaklines, some mesh refinement was also imposed (see
Figure 3.2 Inflow and Outflow Boundary Conditions
Figure 3.1). The more refined the mesh for the computation
in the simulation, the more accurate the run may be. Moreover, hotstaring for the river was performed, that is
allowing initial inflow to enter the boundary condition for
the first few hours before the actual time-series inflow. With
a much refined mesh computation, the map flooding for the
maximum simulated condition generated much reasonable
results.

Figure 3.0 Adding of Breaklines and Mesh Refinement

for the Mandulog DEM

Figure 3.3 Rainfall Boundary Conditions

3.3 Levee Properties

Further refining the model, the integration of levees to get

the model to follow the intended flow path of the Mandulog
River is important. A levee is integrated into the system
through breaklines that goes over the intended locations
directed by the user. The Geometry Editor Feature in HEC
RAS enables the user to set the breakline as an SA/2D Area
Connection that can act as a hydraulic structure that may
link two areas together but in this case, we shall be using it
Figure 3.1 Mesh Refinement on the Observed Leakage/Ponding to refine the river edges in order to enhance the simulation
parameters.

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In order for the set SA/2D Area to function as a levee, the
elevations were set to the higher elevations profiles of the
area of placement. This ensures that no water should be able
to flow over the levee. Given Levee1 as an example,
Elevation was set to 5m as a minimum while still following In defining the properties, users can edit the roadway, pier,
the elevations of those that exceeded 5m as shown in figure and hydraulic properties.
X below.
4 ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

4.1 Terrain Characterizations

The boundary used in the analysis relied on the existing

DEM. The boundaries used for catchment basin were along
the segment of highest peaks of mountains surrounding the
Mandulog River while the boundaries used for flood
analysis were those closest to the to the river and within the
areas of low-land elevations. Lastly, the software can only
help in the analysis of water quantity along the river and that
the water quality is not considered in the analysis of the
modeling.
In theory, as the flow area decreases while still having the
same boundary conditions and volume of water as when the
simulation was hotstarted, we can assume that the flow rate
increases due to this constriction. In addition to this, the
ponding or flooding events may occur elsewhere as the
water depth should also increase due to the addition of the
levee.

3.4 Bridge Properties

Apart from levees, HEC RAS allows for more structures to

be built such as that of bridges. As with other hydraulic
structures, a 2D Area Breakline is introduced to where the
bridge is set to be. This break line will serve as the middle Figure 3.2 Manning’s Coefficient for The Mandulog Basin
of the bridge or roadway to be implemented.
4.2 Rainfall Data
Going into the data connection editor, in order to change the
structure type, the dropdown menu showcases the option for The rainfall data used in the simulation was a 25-year return
Bridge (Internal to 2d Flow Area). As we are still shown the period. Figure 4.0 shows the plotted data for the
elevation profile of the cross section of the river. precipitation. The highest recorded precipitation was at 37.2
mm. The data inputted in the model was simulated for a 24
hours duration and was at a 10 minutes interval for data
recording.

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HWRFCDE - EJ Detention Pond, LID and Dual Drainage April 11, 2024

Figure 5.0 Levee 02

Figure 4.0 Rainfall Boundary Conditions

The modeling used Shallow Wave Equation for the Equation

Set. Moreover, the initiation and calibration for the
infiltration were not incorporated in modeling of the
Mandulog River.

5 DATA USED

Table 5.1. Data Calibration and Parameters used in the

Modeling of Mandulog River with Levees
Hydrologic Boundary Conditions Data Used
Figure 5.1 Levee 01
Rainfall 50-year RT Table 5.2. Data and Parameters used in the Modeling of
Inflow 50-year Outflow Mandulog River with additional Bridge
Outflow Tidal Data 1

Computational interval 10 mins

Perimeter cell refinement 50x50

Regional refinement 10x10

Manning's Coeefficient Mandulog landcover data

Left bank breaklines

Right bank breaklines

DEM modifications
SA/2D Levee 01

SA/2D Levee 02

Table 5.1. Data Calibration and Parameters used in the

Modeling of Mandulog River with Levees

Hydraulic Boundary
Levee 01 Levee 02
Conditions
Table 5.3. Pier Data in the Modeling of Mandulog River
Weir width 10 15 with additional Bridge
Weir coefficient (Cd) 2 2 Hydraulic Boundary
Pier#1 Pier#2
Conditions
Weir crest shape Broad crested Broad crested

Weir length 723.96 897.35 Centerline Station

40 80
Upstream
Flap gates No No

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Centerline Station no difference was seen as they were both at a velocity of
40 80
Downstream 6m/s. Figure 6.6 and Figure 6.7 showed the depth without
and with levees which resulted in higher depth with the
Upstream Width 2 2
addition of levees.
Upstream Elevation 0 0

Downstream Width 2 2

Downstream Elevation 8 8

Table 5.4. Pier Hydraulic Property Data in the Modeling of

Mandulog River with additional Bridge
Hydraulic Boundary Conditions
Pier#1

100
No. of Points on Free Flow Curve Figure 6.1 Levees

60
No. of Submerged Curves

No. of Points on each Submerged Curve 60

Head water Maximum Elevation 9.5

Manning’s Value of 0.035 for the whole Bridge Cross

Section.

Figure 6.2 Water Surface Elevation without Levees

Figure 6.3 Water Surface Elevation with Levees

Figure 5.3 Mandulog Bridge

6 DISCUSSION AND RESULT ANALYSIS

6.1 Mandulog with Levees Analysis

Figure 6.1 shows the location of the Levees 1 and 2 in the Figure 6.4 Velocity without Levees
study area. Figure 6.2 and Figure 6.3 exhibits the water
surface elevation without and with levees respectively.
Without the addition of levees, the water surface elevation
in the model was uniformly distributed. Consequently, the
levees provided a higher water surface elevation. When it
comes to velocity, Figure 6.4 and Figure 6.5 showed the
velocity of the water on the profile line. However, little to

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HWRFCDE - EJ Detention Pond, LID and Dual Drainage April 11, 2024

Figure 6.5 Velocity with Levees

Figure 6.9 With Levees 50x50 perimeter cell refinement, with

breaklines, with regional refinement

Figure 6.10 and Figure 6.11 illustrate the effect of having

no breaklines, and no regional refinement. This caused
Figure 6.6 Depth without Levees water to flow beside the river even though there is no water
source for the water inside the pond to flow. The addition of
breaklines and refinement regions aids in reducing
unnecessary flow in the model.

Figure 6.7 Depth with Levees

Figure 6.8 and Figure 6.9 illustrated the difference in flow

paths with the addition of levees in the model, breaklines,
and refinement regions. It is shown that the addition of
levees interferes with the flow of the water making a vortex
like pattern. This shows that the levees affect the flow of
water. However, the height of the levees were not enough to
protect the areas outside the river where flooding is still
present despite the addition of levees. Figure 6.10 No Levees 50x50 perimeter cell refinement, with
breaklines, 20x20 regional refinement

Figure 6.8 No Levees 50x50 perimeter cell refinement, no

breaklines, no regional refinement Figure 6.11 With Levees 50x50 perimeter cell refinement, no
breaklines, no regional refinement

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6.2 Mandulog with Bridge Analysis REFERENCES

Polo, Rebeca Benayas. “What Is HEC-RAS and What Is It

Useful For?” GIS Course | TYC GIS Training, 18 May 2015,
www.giscourse.com/what-is-hec-ras-and-what-is-it-useful-f
or/.

“Hydraulic Structures.” Civil & Environmental Engineering,

www.engr.colostate.edu/ce/hydraulic-structures/.

DREAM-Flood-Forecasting-and-Flood-Hazard-Mapping-fo
r-Mandulog-River-Basin.pdf (upd.edu.ph)

Figure 6.12 Mandulog River velocity with no bridge

Figure 6.13 Mandulog River velocity with no bridge

In figures 6.12 and 6.13, the comparison of the river

velocity is shown. The addition of a bridge structure creates
a disruption in the natural flow of the river. With the
presence of the structure, the velocity of the water decreases
downstream when approaching the bridge. Consequently,
the river flows faster after passing the bridge

7 CONCLUSION

Levees are strategically placed to manage floodwaters by

confining them within specified areas, preventing or
mitigating flooding in the surrounding area. Levees cause a
reduction in water surface elevation mainly by confining the
lateral movement of water within a defined channel. This
restriction limits the horizontal spread of water, decreasing
the overall surface area over which the water is distributed.
Consequently, the water surface elevation decreases as the
water is contained within a narrower space. Additionally,
the increased flow depth within the constrained channel
compensates for the reduced surface area, maintaining the
flow rate while lowering the water surface elevation.

However, in the simulations performed, the levees used in

the model showed ongoing leakages in the protected regions
and communities. This indicates the need for a more
thorough comprehension and adjustment of the terrain,
along with utilizing a smaller grid size DEM for a better
representation of the study site