Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning
May 30, 2025
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
By Jinshu Li
When minutes matter, communities need fast, accurate flood forecasts to protect lives and property
{
"text": "
Flash floods are among the deadliest natural disasters, accounting for up to 90 percent of flood-related deaths each year. Predicting these events quickly is critical—but not easy. Traditional flood modeling methods—like detailed 2D hydraulic models—are too slow and resource-intensive to meet real-time needs.
In collaboration with The Water Institute, our team recently published a study in Water Resources Research. It combines the power of physics with the speed of machine learning to create flood maps that are faster and more adaptable across diverse landscapes. This breakthrough could transform how cities, engineers, and emergency managers prepare for and respond to flash floods.
" }
{
"as": "a",
"children": "Read Study",
"href": "https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1029\/2024WR039086",
"target": "_blank",
"variant": "big-button"
}
Share
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
-
Jinshu is a data scientist who addresses complex hydrological and water resource challenges through statistical methodologies, machine learning, and mathematical modeling.
Contact Jinshu
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/water.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "2a2da161\u002Dc374\u002D4f51\u002Dab0b\u002D8f71c2e94802",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"link": {
"text":"Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/blending\u002Dgray\u002Dgreen\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dfor\u002Dimproved\u002Dcollection\u002Dsystem\u002Dperformance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0009\/spring\u002Dhill\u002Dsewer\u002Dseparation\u002Dmobility\u002D269394.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"link": {
"text":"AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/conference\/awwa\u002Dace\u002D2026\u002Dstantec\u002Dpresentation\u002Dschedule.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/spotlight\/001\/water\u002Dsplashing\u002Dadobestock\u002D191046137.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"overwriteSubhead": "Conference",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Q&A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"link": {
"text":"Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/qa\u002Dwhat\u002Ddoes\u002Dcoastal\u002Dresilience\u002Dlook\u002Dlike\u002Dfor\u002Dus\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0091\/terrebonne\u002Dbasin\u002Dbarrier\u002Dislands\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"link": {
"text":"Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/protecting\u002Dbuffalos\u002Dfreshwater\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/buffalo\u002Dsmart\u002Dsewer\u002Dwater\u002Dprogram.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"link": {
"text":"Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dstarts\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Dheart\u002Dof\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dnatalie\u002Dvogt.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"link": {
"text":"Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/seeing\u002Dmore\u002Dclearly\u002Dwhere\u002Dstormwater\u002Dfloods\u002Ddenver.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/denver\u002Dco\u002Dnight\u002Dadobestock\u002D516350308.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"link": {
"text":"We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/we\u002Dare\u002Dhalfwaythrough\u002D2025\u002D5\u002Dtrends\u002Dimpacting\u002Daec\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/wtp\u002Dadobestock\u002D428397714.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"link": {
"text":"Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/cleaner\u002Dcoasts\u002Dturning\u002Dthe\u002Dtide\u002Don\u002Dtrash\u002Dcapture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0039\/ballona\u002Dcreek\u002Dinterceptor\u002D007\u002Dpilot\u002Dproject\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"link": {
"text":"Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2025\/physically\u002Dbased\u002Ddimensionless\u002Dfeatures\u002Dfor\u002Dpluvial\u002Dflood\u002Dmapping\u002Dwith\u002Dmachine\u002Dlearning.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/flooded\u002Droad\u002Dadobestock\u002D1484571662.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"link": {
"text":"A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/boring\u002Dnew\u002Dtechnique\u002Dfor\u002Dsewer\u002Drepair\u002Dcomes\u002Dto\u002Dsouth\u002Dside.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0050\/kawartha\u002Dlakes\u002Dsanitary\u002Dsewer\u002D99148.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - How can communities efficiently fund flood-mitigation efforts?",
"link": {
"text":"How can communities efficiently fund flood\u002Dmitigation efforts?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dcommunities\u002Defficiently\u002Dfund\u002Dflood\u002Dmitigation\u002Defforts.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0041\/tottenville\u002Dshoreline\u002Dprotection\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can communities efficiently fund flood\u002Dmitigation efforts?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"link": {
"text":"How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dwater\u002Dutilities\u002Dtransition\u002Dto\u002Done\u002Dwater\u002Dapproach\u002D5\u002Dpractical\u002Dsteps.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/cache\u002Dle\u002Dpoudre\u002Driver\u002Dadobestock\u002D142864930.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Finding low-impact development solutions in Edmonton",
"link": {
"text":"Finding low\u002Dimpact development solutions in Edmonton",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/finding\u002Dlow\u002Dimpact\u002Ddevelopment\u002Dsolutions\u002Dedmonton.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0009\/epcor\u002Doutfall\u002Drehabilitation\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Finding low\u002Dimpact development solutions in Edmonton",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI-driven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/stantec\u002Dbbc\u002DStoryworks\u002Dai\u002Ddriven\u002Dflood\u002Dmodeling\u002Dimpact\u002Don\u002Dflood\u002Dprediction.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/flood\u002Dpredictor\u002Dbbc\u002Dstoryworks.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy-in for flood control measures",
"link": {
"text":"How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy\u002Din for flood control measures",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/how\u002Dto\u002Dbuild\u002Dawareness\u002Dof\u002Dflood\u002Drisk\u002Dgain\u002Dbuy\u002Din\u002Dfor\u002Dflood\u002Dcontrol\u002Dmeasures.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/flooded\u002Dstreet\u002Dadobestock\u002D536821530.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy\u002Din for flood control measures",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"link": {
"text":"In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/in\u002Da\u002Dchanging\u002Dworld\u002Dbetter\u002Dflood\u002Dmodeling\u002Dinforms\u002Ddesigns\u002Dthat\u002Dstand\u002Dup.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/fredericton\u002Dflood\u002Dadobestock\u002D205070710.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Nature-based solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature\u002Dto\u002Dsolve\u002Denvironmental\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I/I",
"link": {
"text":"Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I\/I",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/focused\u002Dinvestigation\u002Dis\u002Dgood\u002Dbut\u002Dfocused\u002Drehab\u002Dis\u002Dbetter\u002Dstrategie\u002Dfo\u002Dmanaging\u002Di\u002Di.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/micromonitoring\u002D238820.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I\/I",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Four considerations for large pump station design",
"link": {
"text":"Four considerations for large pump station design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/four\u002Dconsiderations\u002Dfor\u002Dlarge\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0003\/easterly\u002Dtunnel\u002Ddewatering\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002D189015.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Four considerations for large pump station design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"link": {
"text":"How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/how\u002Dgreen\u002Dstormwater\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dcan\u002Dhelp\u002Dcities\u002Dmanage\u002Dintense\u002Drainfall\u002Devents.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0007\/sandy\u002Dhill\u002Dflood\u002Dcontrol\u002Dand\u002Dpark\u002Drehabilitation3.JPG",
"overwriteHeadline": "How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - 3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"link": {
"text":"3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/3\u002Dsteps\u002Dto\u002Dachieve\u002Done\u002Dwater\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Dreal\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/wtp\u002Dadobestock\u002D428397714.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - Nature-based solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"link": {
"text":"Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/nature\u002Dbased\u002Dsolutions\u002Dcrucial\u002Dinnovations\u002Dfor\u002Drresilient\u002Dsustainable\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0130\/southwaite\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dworks\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"link": {
"text":"Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/collaborating\u002Dwith\u002Dcommunities\u002Dto\u002Dcreate\u002Dstormwater\u002Dsolutions.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0003\/minneapolis\u002Dstormwater\u002Dponds.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}