Managed diversion lead time effects on flood response in a tidal freshwater river

River diversions are a commonly used water management tool throughout the world. Low-gradient coastal rivers exhibit complex floodplain interactions and subject to multiple uncertain drivers of future flood risk. The interacting factors make quantification downstream diversion effects on ambient hazards in riverine ecosystems challenging. This article analyzes managed ecological (MED) flood-prone tidal freshwater Vermilion system situated within Atchafalaya Basin region Louisiana, USA. A flexible efficient hydraulic hydrologic (H&H) modeling setup counterfactual approach is utilized develop analyze 60 simulation scenarios aimed at quantifying an existing baseflow augmentation program under conditions. analysis demonstrated significance preemptive closure levels rivers. role wetland topography residual storage MED-induced response was also highlighted. variety parameter/forcing were evaluated establish robustness findings extend results more general settings. study provides insights induced by MEDs, which expected become prevalent future.