Estimating Debris Flow Discharge Using UAV Photogrammetry and High-Resolution Topographic Data: A Case Study from Gokseong, South Korea

This study proposes a method for accurately estimating debris flow discharge using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and high-resolution topographic data to determine the maximum flow level and channel bed elevation. Analyses of orthophotos and (Digital Surface Models) obtained using a UAV in the case of debris flows in Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, revealed an increasing discharge from upstream to midstream. This increase was followed by a decrease in discharge downstream, owing to the reduced channel slope. This research contributes to the improvement of the precision of debris flow discharge predictions, which are essential for infrastructure design and disaster response. Moreover, this research highlights the need for further studies to address the environmental limitations and data processing challenges associated with UAV monitoring.