Environmental Hydrology Laboratory

To help answer these important questions, the Environmental Hydrology Laboratory, in collaboration with the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDCP), organized a Dam Breach Flood Routing Workshop on 24 June 2026.

This workshop introduced participants to the ongoing situation in the Apayao–Abulug River Basin, where proposed dam developments have raised discussions on their potential downstream impacts.

Using HEC-RAS, participants learned how to simulate dam breach scenarios and route floodwaters through rivers and floodplains. The workshop covered the development of flood hazard outputs, such as maps of maximum flood extent, maximum flood depth, and the arrival time of floodwaters along downstream river sections.

As discussions continue on proposed dam developments within the Apayao–Abulug River Basin, science-based flood modeling can help communities better understand potential risks, and strengthen participatory planning. Through these initiatives, our laboratory hopes to empower communities, NGOs, researchers, and public officials to work together toward safer and more sustainable development in the Cordillera region.