Modelling urban river catchment: a case study in Malaysia

Generally, many rivers within urban catchments in Malaysia are being altered from their natural states to meet the demand of developments. Most of these rivers have also become the receiving water body for urban drainage systems. Therefore, it has become extremely difficult to separate river from the rest of the drainage system. Study of interaction between such river and urban drainage is necessary for urban drainage planning and design. Present study showcases how urban river modelling using InfoWorks Collection System (CS) on Berop River, Perak (Malaysia), can assist stormwater system design. Calibrated using historical flood event, the developed model was used for evaluation of various design storms, possible scenarios as well as existing and future landuse condition. The study found that within a data scarcity condition, InfoWorks CS played a significant role in providing good platform for stormwater system modelling as well as satisfactory simulations and analyses for complex combination of river and urban drainage stormwater system. This is the much needed advantage for practising engineers in time saving stormwater system design.