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Las Vegas valley has undergone significant development, thus increasing urban flooding. This study analyzes the impacts of urban development on urban flooding in the Flamingo watershed by using a watershed model. The input data includes precipitation, soil characteristics, elevation, and land cover. Urban development is incorporated through increasing percent impervious. Sub-watersheds and streamlines were delineated in ArcGIS using digital elevation model (DEM) dataset. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) curve-number method was used for the calculation of runoff. The Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Management System (HEC-HMS) was used to estimate the discharge hydrograph. The model was calibrated through changing the curve number of the sub-basins. Two urbanization scenarios created with a 5% and 10% increase in impervious surfaces were generated. The results showed that peak discharge occurred earlier due to increase in impervious surfaces. Moreover, the total discharge volume and peak discharge for a given storm event were increasing due to increased imperviousness from urbanization. This study provides useful insight into a hydrological response to urban development that can be helpful in flood remediation.
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