An Overland Flow Path: What Is It?

An Overland Flow Path (OFP) is a key idea in flood engineering as it represents the route that water pursues after it surpasses the capacity of the subterranean drainage system and crosses the land’s surface. Alternatively, in the absence of a drainage system, an OFP is produced by the concentration of stormwater runoff that results from rainfall that is more than the soil’s capacity or that strikes an impermeable surface, causing runoff. Because these localized pathways have the ability to cause flooding and harm to people and property, they are essential for determining the flood hazards associated with any specific location.

Read More: Overland Flow Study Brisbane

Overland Flow Paths can be created by man-made structures in urban settings, existing channel beds, or even little depressions in the terrain called ponding. An urban setting’s overland flow channel might be a roadway (which is normally made to accommodate certain overland flows), a park, or even a parking lot—basically, any area where water can flow freely in the event that the drainage systems are overloaded.

It’s probable that a Local Council authority or building certifier has seen a flood overlay if you’ve ended up on this page. Usually, they may be located on a Planning Scheme Policy Flood Overlay Map or you may have seen them on an interactive mapping or flood report. Our methods for locating an OFP usually involve data on stormwater infrastructure, hydrologic modeling, and topography analysis. When evaluating for an OFP, the following factors are essential to take into account:

Examine the maps provided by the local council:

The majority of local councils will have an interactive mapping planning system that will detect any probable overland flow channels, as our website demonstrates. For instance, the Planning Scheme interactive map and the Flood Awareness map are both available from Brisbane City Council.

Examining topographical maps:

Contour maps, or topographic maps, include comprehensive details on the land’s physical characteristics, such as its height and slope, which might be useful in locating possible OFPs.

Modeling Hydrology:

With some assistance from national and local standards, sophisticated software is frequently used to simulate various design rainfall scenarios (supplied by the BOM) and observe where water collects and flows. At Stormflood, we operate in this manner. In order to determine how your development should handle the flooding issue, we will establish the flood regime of an OFP, encompassing features like water level, depth, velocity, and danger indicators of the Overland Flow Path.

Verification in the Field:

Maps and models are helpful, but firsthand ground observation is always preferable, especially during or right after a rainfall event (although aerial survey data is quite beneficial).

Examining Past Flood Information:

Prior floods can provide information about possible OFPs, particularly in cities where constructed infrastructure may affect water flow.

When you believe a property may be impacted by an Overland flow channel, there are several reasons to think about hiring a professional flood engineer. A few of these are included below:

Evaluation of Flood Risk:

Knowing the routes taken by overland flows can be useful in locating places that are more likely to flood. When designing a new building or addition, this information enables the design and execution of appropriate flood mitigation methods or flood resilience design.

Design of Infrastructure:

The way water flows through a structure or addition may be greatly impacted by its architecture and design. Structures surrounding infrastructure can be positioned to minimize the effects of flooding and hence lower possible flood risks and damage by having a thorough grasp of the overland flow pathways.

Design of Landscapes:

Designing landscaping and other outdoor elements might benefit from an understanding of overland flow routes. Driveways and gardens, for instance, can be made to assist divert water away from structures and into suitable drainage zones. However, if the OFP is deemed high velocity, the evaluation can assist in avoiding construction in these high scour zones in order to save landscaped areas from ongoing upkeep and annoyance.

Observance of Regulations:

Overland flow pathways are taken into account throughout the planning and building phases in the majority of local government regions. If a nuisance is caused outside of your site, not doing so may result in fines, additional expenses, and delays in planning and construction.

For insurance purposes:

Before granting coverage, insurance companies frequently need knowledge of flood hazards, particularly overland flow patterns. Furthermore, proactive reduction of certain risks and knowledge of them may result in reduced insurance rates.

Property Value over the Long Term:

By taking proactive measures to lower risk, structures or additions that take into account overland flow pathways can gradually preserve or grow in value. In the real estate market, properties that have less chance of flooding or that can be proven to have flood concerns through flood paperwork are often more in demand and can fetch higher prices. Because flood overlay maps are readily obtainable and ignoring them during a real estate transaction may be interpreted as dishonest behavior on the part of the seller, it is advised that you contact us to ascertain the extent of the OFP.

Identification and comprehension of Overland Flow Paths are essential components of flood engineering. By foreseeing possible flood zones and providing guidance for the design of infrastructure to handle surplus water, it aids in the efficient control of flood risk. One may map out these courses and make strategic decisions that might help lower the risks and premiums associated with flood insurance, protect against the destructive consequences of floods, and build flood resilience into your home by researching the terrain, utilizing hydrological models, and looking at past flood data.