Flooding remains a critical issue in urban catchments, driven by complex interactions between land use changes, hydrological dynamics, and environmental factors. This study aims to investigate how modifications in Landscape Hydric Potential (LHP) affect flood behavior in the Drwinka River catchment in Krakow, Poland. Given the rapid urbanization and its impacts on hydrological systems, understanding these changes is essential for effective flood management and mitigation. The research involved a comprehensive analysis of land use changes, river network alterations, LHP variations, and net rainfall across several historical periods: 1785, 1864, 1900, 1936, 1965, 1997, and 2023. By examining these periods and considering two observed rainfall events (case 1 and case 2) alongside a design rainfall scenario (case 3), the study revealed significant shifts in land use and catchment physiography. Specifically, the transition from agricultural to urbanized areas, a reduction in catchment size, and a decline in retention capacity were observed throughout the study period. The analysis uncovered a strong correlation between LHP values and net rainfall, with notable impacts on the volume of water discharged into receiving waters. Additionally, changes in flood hydrograph patterns were evident, with increases in LHP values leading to reductions in peak flows and flood volumes. For instance, peak flows and volumes ranged from 35 to 51 m3 s-1 and 0.335 to 0.462 million m3 for rainfall case 1, from 51 to 65 m3 s-1 and 0.814 to 0.992 million m3 for rainfall case 2, and from 51 to 76 m3 s-1 and 0.642 to 0.806 million m3 for rainfall case 3. These findings underscore the potential of LHP as a crucial tool in flood management, offering insights that could enhance catchment management strategies and improve flood hazard mitigation efforts.
Keywords: Catchment's management; Floods; Landscape hydric potential; Retention; Urbanization.
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