Flooding causes the United States about $8 billion a year. It can result in property damage, loss of life, and damage to the ecosystem. Oftentimes when houses and other infrastructure are built within or near high flooding risk areas, contractors need to follow specific building requirements in order to mitigate potential damage. Cherry Creek Dam is a man-made body of water located just southeast of Denver, Colorado. The dam was built in 1950 to prevent flooding from the South Platte River floodwaters. Although the dam has prevented flood from occurring since, the risk of dam failure or flooding under the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) storm has yet to be performed. If such a storm would occur, it would be important to understand where the flooding would occur and to what extent. In this study, we adopted a two-dimensional hydraulic model SRH-2D to simulate the potential flood event under the PMP storm and dam breaching scenario. The research is designed to evaluate the potential inundation area and subsequent damage. The results may help prevent future damage through preparation and proper infrastructure inspections.

Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

Flooding causes the United States about $8 billion a year. It can result in property damage, loss of life, and damage to the ecosystem. Oftentimes when houses and other infrastructure are built within or near high flooding risk areas, contractors need to follow specific building requirements in order to mitigate potential damage. Cherry Creek Dam is a man-made body of water located just southeast of Denver, Colorado. The dam was built in 1950 to prevent flooding from the South Platte River floodwaters. Although the dam has prevented flood from occurring since, the risk of dam failure or flooding under the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) storm has yet to be performed. If such a storm would occur, it would be important to understand where the flooding would occur and to what extent. In this study, we adopted a two-dimensional hydraulic model SRH-2D to simulate the potential flood event under the PMP storm and dam breaching scenario. The research is designed to evaluate the potential inundation area and subsequent damage. The results may help prevent future damage through preparation and proper infrastructure inspections.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466.012)** 

Flood Simulation and Assessment due to Dam Breaching of the Cherry Creek Reservoir, Colorado

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466)

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.6329c39b68fb0e00131f77d2