Sensitivity analysis of input parameters to flood characteristics for historical dam failures using DSS-WISE Lite web-based system

Accurately predicting flood characteristics, such as flow depth, arrival time, and inundation extent, is of importance in dam failure studies. These flow characteristics are influenced by various factors, including breach geometry, breach formation time, and simulation cell size. Conducting sensitivity analysis can provide valuable insights into the significance of these input parameters on downstream flow characteristics. In this study, we utilize the DSS-WISE Lite web-based system to perform sensitivity analysis on average breach width, breach formation time, and simulation cell size for two historical dam failure events: the 2005 Taum Sauk Upper Dam failure and the 2020 Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam failure. Within specific ranges, we vary the average breach widths, breach formation times, and simulation cell sizes. The simulated results, including breach and downstream hydrographs, peak discharge, arrival time, maximum depth, and inundation extent, are compared among different scenarios and with actual observations. The outcomes of this sensitivity analysis can assist modelers in evaluating parameters for predicting dam failure in cases where the values are unknown.