Hydrological assessment and management implications for the ancient Nabataean flood control system in Petra, Jordan

•Monitoring and modeling was done to analyze a Nabtaean flood management system.•Special consideration were needed for modeling ultra-low flow in semi-arid regions.•Results suggested that large no. of small check-dams are better than a large one in Petra.•A large dam has the advantage of reducing the peak flow more than several smaller dams.•Delay in peak time rather than reduction in volume is the main advantage of check dams.