Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract Flooding remains a critical hydrological hazard in the Itang watershed within the Lower Baro-Akobo Basin, requiring an in-depth assessment of flood susceptibility. This study employs a multi-criteria evaluation method, integrating key geospatial and hydrological parameters such as topograph...

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Main Authors: Shibiru Chengu, Mohammed Assen, Elias Gebeyehu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00289-5
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author Shibiru Chengu
Mohammed Assen
Elias Gebeyehu
author_facet Shibiru Chengu
Mohammed Assen
Elias Gebeyehu
author_sort Shibiru Chengu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Flooding remains a critical hydrological hazard in the Itang watershed within the Lower Baro-Akobo Basin, requiring an in-depth assessment of flood susceptibility. This study employs a multi-criteria evaluation method, integrating key geospatial and hydrological parameters such as topographic slope, elevation, land use/land cover, River proximity, drainage network density, precipitation intensity, and soil properties. Utilizing a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach within the ArcMap 10.3.1 environment, a flood hazard zonation map was generated, classifying the watershed into five risk categories: Very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The findings reveal that approximately 69.69% of the watershed falls within the high to very high flood risk zones, predominantly influenced by low-lying Elevation, gentle slopes, proximity to the river, land cover dynamics, high drainage density, and precipitation variability. These insights emphasize the necessity of integrating robust flood mitigation measures, early warning mechanisms, and sustainable watershed management interventions to enhance flood resilience and reduce hydrological risks in the study watershed.
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spelling doaj-art-dfeb6ff80c6c4b3f805d8e9baf1479322025-08-20T04:01:53ZengSpringerDiscover Environment2731-94312025-08-013111810.1007/s44274-025-00289-5Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest EthiopiaShibiru Chengu0Mohammed Assen1Elias Gebeyehu2Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Arba Minch UniversityDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Hydraulic & Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Hydraulic & Water Resources Engineering, Arba Minch UniversityAbstract Flooding remains a critical hydrological hazard in the Itang watershed within the Lower Baro-Akobo Basin, requiring an in-depth assessment of flood susceptibility. This study employs a multi-criteria evaluation method, integrating key geospatial and hydrological parameters such as topographic slope, elevation, land use/land cover, River proximity, drainage network density, precipitation intensity, and soil properties. Utilizing a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach within the ArcMap 10.3.1 environment, a flood hazard zonation map was generated, classifying the watershed into five risk categories: Very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The findings reveal that approximately 69.69% of the watershed falls within the high to very high flood risk zones, predominantly influenced by low-lying Elevation, gentle slopes, proximity to the river, land cover dynamics, high drainage density, and precipitation variability. These insights emphasize the necessity of integrating robust flood mitigation measures, early warning mechanisms, and sustainable watershed management interventions to enhance flood resilience and reduce hydrological risks in the study watershed.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00289-5Flood hazard mappingWatershed managementMulti-criteria analysisMitigation strategiesAnd early warning systems
spellingShingle Shibiru Chengu
Mohammed Assen
Elias Gebeyehu
Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
Discover Environment
Flood hazard mapping
Watershed management
Multi-criteria analysis
Mitigation strategies
And early warning systems
title Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
title_full Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
title_fullStr Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
title_short Multi-criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the Itang watershed, lower Baro-Akobo Basin, Southwest Ethiopia
title_sort multi criteria decision analysis for flood hazard mapping in the itang watershed lower baro akobo basin southwest ethiopia
topic Flood hazard mapping
Watershed management
Multi-criteria analysis
Mitigation strategies
And early warning systems
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00289-5
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