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Flood risk management in urban areas relies heavily on the hydraulic analysis of stormwater systems. This analysis involves studying how water flows through drainage systems, assessing the capacity of channels, culverts, and detention basins, and forecasting how these systems will perform during storm events. By understanding the hydraulic properties, engineers can identify areas that may experience flooding, design effective mitigation measures, and ensure that urban infrastructure is adequate to handle intense rainfall events.

In contrast, while soil compaction testing is important for construction and foundation integrity, it does not specifically address stormwater management. Geometric design analysis of roadways focuses on the physical layout and safety of roads rather than their interaction with stormwater. Community impact assessments evaluate the broader social and economic effects of projects within a community but do not provide the technical insights needed for analyzing flood risk directly. Therefore, hydraulic analysis is the key method that provides the data and modeling necessary to develop effective flood management strategies in urban settings.