Yavne City faced persistent flooding risks, particularly where the Yavne Stream enters an underground culvert with limited capacity before flowing toward the Sorek River. Recognizing the complexity of this urban flood challenge, the Ministry of Agriculture initiated a pilot project to develop new risk-based planning policies for flood mitigation. The objective was to establish a comprehensive approach that would not only analyze flood risk but also evaluate the potential economic impact on the city.
 

To address these needs, a sophisticated two-dimensional HEC-RAS hydraulic model was developed and carefully calibrated. This model enabled the team to analyze flood extents in both the upstream watershed and the downstream built-up areas within Yavne. Special focus was given to the critical transition zone where the stream enters the underground culvert—a known bottleneck that increases flood risk for adjacent urban neighborhoods. By mapping out flood extents and depths across various land use areas, the project created a clear visualization of potential flood scenarios.
 

The assessment did not stop at technical modeling; a detailed economic damage evaluation was also conducted. Using flood depth and extent data, the team calculated the potential damage value per square meter for different land use types throughout the city. By integrating these hydraulic modeling results with an economic analysis, the project produced a comprehensive methodology that directly supported the Ministry's development of a risk-based policy framework.
 

The outcome was a successful delivery of the Ministry of Agriculture’s pilot project, which now serves as a model for similar initiatives across the country. The integrated methodology—combining advanced hydraulic modeling with economic damage assessment—set new standards for flood risk evaluation in Israel, enabling better-informed land use planning and more effective investment in flood protection.

Lead by Itay Kesar, CTO in collaboration with Moran Consultation and Development LTD.