CLASSIFICATION MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE FLOOD RETENTION BASINS
Miklas Scholz, Adam J. Sadowski, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
(free)
The aim of this research paper is to recommend a rapid conceptual classification model for
Sustainable Flood Retention Basins (SFRB) used to control runoff in a temperate climate. A
SFRB is an aesthetically pleasing retention basin predominantly used for flood protection
adhering to sustainable drainage and best management practices. The classification model
was developed on the basis of a detailed database of 141 SFRB using the River Rhine
catchment in Baden (part of Baden-Württemberg, Germany) as a case study. It is based on
an agglomerative cluster analysis, and is intended to be used by engineers and scientists to
adequately classify the following different types of SFRB: Hydraulic Flood Retention Basin,
Traditional Flood Retention Basin, Sustainable Flood Retention Wetland, Aesthetic Flood
Retention Wetland, Integrated Flood Retention Wetland and Natural Flood Retention Wetland.
Three separate scoring tables were defined to enable the assignment of the six SFRB
definitions to retention basins in the data set. The efficiency of these tables was based on a
scoring system which gave the conceptual model an overall efficiency of approximately 60%
(as opposed to 17% by chance). This conceptual classification model may be utilized for
Europe and other regions with temperate climates.
KEY WORDS
Environmental management; Flood retention basin; Rural and urban runoff;
Classification system; Flood protection; River Rhine catchment; Germany; Cluster
analysis
