Efficient Parallel Algorithm for Detecting Longest Flow Paths in Flow Direction Grids

Abstract

High-performance computing (HPC) has transformed the capacity to address complex computational tasks across various scientific fields by enabling the efficient processing of large datasets and intricate simulations. In hydrological modeling, a critical task is identifying the longest flow channel within a catchment, which is essential for understanding water flow patterns and managing resources. However, existing geographic information system (GIS) algorithms for flow path identification often suffer from inefficiencies and inaccuracies. To address these challenges, this paper introduces innovative parallel methods utilizing Open Multi-Processing (OpenMP), a widely-used API that supports multi-platform shared-memory parallel programming. This approach optimizes the analysis of flow direction data, resulting in faster and more accurate identification of flow channels. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms current approaches, offering substantial improvements in both performance and precision. These advancements have the potential to significantly enhance hydrological modeling practices and water resource management. © 2025 IEEE.