Effects of the catchment runoff coefficient on the performance of TOPMODEL in rainfall–runoff modelling

Effects of the catchment runoff coefficient on the performance of TOPMODEL in simulating catchment rainfall–runoff relationships are investigated in this paper, with an aim to improve TOPMODEL's simulation efficiency in catchments with a low runoff coefficient. Application of TOPMODEL in the semi‐arid Yihe catchment, with an area of 2623 km² in the Yellow River basin of China, produced a Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency of about 80%. To investigate how the catchment runoff coefficient affects the performance of TOPMODEL, the whole observed discharge series of the Yihe catchment is multiplied with a larger‐than‐unity scale factor to obtain an amplified discharge series. Then TOPMODEL is used to simulate the amplified discharge series given the original rainfall and evaporation data. For a set of different scale factors, TOPMODEL efficiency is plotted against the corresponding catchment runoff coefficient and it is found that the efficiency of TOPMODEL increases with the increasing catchment runoff coefficient before reaching a peak (e.g. about 90%); after the peak, however, the efficiency of TOPMODEL decreases with the increasing catchment runoff coefficient. Based on this finding, an approach called the discharge amplification method is proposed to enhance the simulation efficiency of TOPMODEL in rainfall–runoff modelling in catchments with a low runoff coefficient. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Base flow separation for soil erosion simulation in a granitic forested headwater catchment using a process-based model,GeoWEPP

Distributed erosion models, which simulate the physical processes of water flow and soil erosion, are effective for predicting soil erosion in forested catchments. Although subsurface flow through multiple pathways is dominant for runoff generation in forested headwater catchments, the process-based erosion model, Geo-spatial interface for Water Erosion Prediction Project(Geo WEPP), does not have an adequate subsurface component for the simulation of hillslope water flow. In the current study, t...     

Statistical Estimates of the Dependence of the Caspian Sea Level and the Volga Runoff on the Amount of Precipitation onto the Volga Watershed

Correlation between the Volga runoff, the Caspian Sea level increments (CSL), and the amount of precipitation is considered. The variables involved are averaged over seasons, periods, and the year. Variations in the obtained correlations within the 20th century are analyzed. A method is proposed for determining the optimal time interval, within which precipitation is to be taken into account in predicting the Volga runoff and CSL. Seasonal anomalies in the precipitation and annual Volga runoff are analyzed for low-water and high-water periods. Linear trends of seasonal sums of precipitation for the period from 1891 to 1998 and in individual parts of this period are evaluated.     

太湖西苕溪流域径流过程的模拟

西苕溪是太湖集水域的一个主要流域,研究西苕溪流域径流过程及污染物产出对了解太湖水文水质变化以及开展周围其它流域研究工作具有重要意义．作为研究的第一步,采用集总式模型LASCAM建立了西苕溪流域径流模型．以流域内2个水文观测站1968-1988年日径流观测数据对模型作了率定．率定效果满意,模拟日、年径流量与观测值吻合良好．在流域资料不够充分的情况下,模型能获得较为理想的模拟效果,说明所采用的模型适用于数据不足区域．模拟还揭示,西苕溪流域径流产生可能以饱和地面径流机制为主．近河道浅层饱和土体的水位与降雨量相关性好,呈现出明显的日波动周期;而深层地下水位呈年波动周期,在旱季和雨季,水位呈明显的降落和上升趋势．这些发现为进一步细化径流模型以及建立污染物输移模型奠定了基础．     

A derived probability distribution approach to stormwater quality modeling

The closed-form analytical stormwater quality models are developed for simulating urban catchment pollutant buildup and washoff processes. By integrating the rainfall–runoff transformation with pollutant buildup and washoff functions, stormwater quality measures, such as the cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of pollutant loads, the expected value of pollutant event mean concentrations (EMCs) and the average annual pollutant load can be derived. This paper presents methodologies and major procedures for the development of urban stormwater quality models based on derived probability distribution theory. In order to investigate the spatial variation in model parameters and its impact on stormwater pollutant buildup and washoff processes as well as pollutant loads to receiving waters, an extended form of the original rainfall–runoff transformation which is based on lumped runoff coefficient approach is proposed to differentiate runoff generation mechanisms between the impervious and pervious areas of the catchment. In addition, as a contrast to the aggregated pollutant buildup models formulated with a single lumped buildup parameter, the disaggregated form of the pollutant buildup model is proposed by introducing a number of physically-based parameters associated with pollutant buildup and washoff processes into the pollutant load models. The results from the case study indicate that analytical urban stormwater management model are capable of providing results in good agreement with the field measurements, and can be employed as alternatives to continuous simulation models in the evaluation of long-term stormwater quality measures.     

A Bayesian method for missing rainfall estimation using a conceptual rainfall–runoff model

The estimation of missing rainfall data is an important problem for data analysis and modelling studies in hydrology. This paper develops a Bayesian method to address missing rainfall estimation from runoff measurements based on a pre-calibrated conceptual rainfall–runoff model. The Bayesian method assigns posterior probability of rainfall estimates proportional to the likelihood function of measured runoff flows and prior rainfall information, which is presented by uniform distributions in the absence of rainfall data. The likelihood function of measured runoff can be determined via the test of different residual error models in the calibration phase. The application of this method to a French urban catchment indicates that the proposed Bayesian method is able to assess missing rainfall and its uncertainty based only on runoff measurements, which provides an alternative to the reverse model for missing rainfall estimates.     

Modified NLPM-ANN model and its application

The non-linear perturbation model based on artificial neural network (NLPM-ANN) takes advantage of the consideration of seasonal information by the linear perturbation model (LPM) and the notable non-linear simulation capability of artificial neural network (ANN). However, this model does not take account of antecedent catchment wetness that may effect the simulation and forecasting accuracy. A modified NLPM-ANN model is proposed and developed to take the consideration of antecedent catchment wetness. The output perturbing terms of the response function in the simple linear model (SLM) in an auxiliary component are taken as inputs of ANN to represent catchment wetness. The simulated total runoff is obtained by integrating the outputs of ANN with that of the seasonal model. The rainfall–runoff data of eight catchments were selected and used to compare the modified NLPM-ANN with the NLPM-ANN models. Results show that the modified NLPM-ANN is significantly superior to the NLPM-ANN, and the model component efficiency index values are 16.82% and 16.74% over the NLPM-ANN during calibration and verification periods, respectively.     

Alpine Waters edited by Ulrich Bundi

Abstract

A snowmelt runoff model is derived for relatively small rivers. The model involves the main components of the catchment water budget, physiographical and some other factors: water equivalent of snow cover, precipitation, antecedent moisture content, daily snowmelt, non-uniformity of snow cover, retention capacity of the basin, and percentage of forest area. The model structure includes calculations of the daily values of snowmelt excess and the transformation of these values into discharges at the outlet of the basin based on meteorological observations and appropriate distribution functions. Both calculations are made separately for open and forest areas. The parameters of the model were derived by optimization methods. The linear model based on the superposition principle is used to transform the discharges of a small river into total inflow into a large reservoir. The combined model was used to forecast for five days in advance daily mean inflows into the Gorky and Kuibyshev reservoirs (on the River Volga), using the observed and forecast discharges of the small rivers as input.     

Assessing the Effect of the Volga Reservoirs Chain on the Normal Annual Phosphorus Runoff into the Caspian Sea

With the help of a stationary balance model, the mean annual amounts of P retained in the chain of the Volga water reservoirs are sequentially calculated. It is found that with the current anthropogenic load, the Volga River regulation leads to a twofold decrease in the P runoff into the Caspian Sea.     

抚仙湖集水域地表径流入湖水量模拟

采用适用于无资料流域、参数较少的SCS模型计算抚仙湖集水域地表径流量.模型考虑了集水域下垫面条件的空间差异,利用Maplnfo/Arc view软件按照土地利用方式与土壤类型的不同,把集水域划分为若干个水文响应单元,分别计算产流量,较准确地模拟了入湖径流量.通过对梁王河流域和大鲫鱼沟流域实测降雨径流资料的分析与反演,提出了适合该区域的产流计算CN值.在对CN值作坡度修正后再应用到其它无观测数据区域.通过模型计算得到的抚仙湖集水域2005年3月1日-2006年2月28日地表径流量为1.74×108 m3,陆面径流系数为0.395.模型为指导抚仙湖集水域径流观测及入湖污染物负荷的计算提供依据.     

NOTE ON THE HISTORY OF THE STEINGLETSCHER LAKE

Abstract

The probability-distributed catchment model, as originally proposed by Moore &; Clarke (1981), is re-examined from a maximum statistical entropy viewpoint. The distribution of water within a catchment is treated as a problem of statistical inference and resolved using an entropy maximization technique. A simple runoff generating mechanism is employed, which, together with the catchment mass balance equation, yields a catchment model involving just one dynamic parameter, y, and two constants, k and λ. The parameter y determines the temporal variation of catchment storage V and runoff q. The latter is nonlinearly related to V through q = k(1—λyV), where y provides the nonlinear departure from the simple linear reservoir q = kV.     

A statistically based runoff‐yield model coupling infiltration excess and saturation excess mechanisms

A statistically based runoff‐yield model is proposed in this paper. The model considers spatial heterogeneities of rainfall, soil infiltration capacity and soil water storage capacity that are main factors controlling runoff‐yield process. It assumes that the spatial variation of rainfall intensity at each time step can be characterized by a probability density function, which is estimated by matching the hyetograph through goodness‐of‐fit measure, whereas the spatial heterogeneities of soil infiltration capacity and soil water storage capacity are described by parabola‐type functions. Surface runoff is calculated according to infiltration excess mechanism; the statistical distribution of surface runoff rate can be deduced with the joint distribution of rainfall intensity and soil infiltration rate, thus obtaining a quasi‐analytical solution for surface runoff. Based on saturation excess mechanism, the groundwater flow (flows below the ground are collectively referred to as groundwater flow) is calculated by infiltration and the probability distribution of soil water storage capacity. Consequently, the total runoff is composed of infiltration excess and saturation excess runoff components. As an example, this model is applied to flood event simulation in Dongwan catchment, a semi‐humid region and a tributary of Yellow River in China. It indicates that the proposed runoff‐yield model could achieve acceptable accuracy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of Long-Term Variations in the Volga Annual Runoff

The stability of sample estimates of statistical parameters was analyzed for segments of the initial time series of annual runoff volumes of the Volga River at Volgograd for 1881/1882–1994/1995. The segments of series considered in this study differ in the extent of anthropogenic impact on the runoff and the type of atmospheric circulation and correspond to characteristic periods in the Caspian Sea level variations. The conclusion is made that there are statistically significant variations in the annual runoff of the Volga, caused by both natural–climatic and anthropogenic variations in the hydrological cycle.     

Fine sediment delivery and transfer in lowland catchments: modelling suspended sediment concentrations in response to hydrological forcing

Fine sediment delivery to and storage in stream channel reaches can disrupt aquatic habitats, impact river hydromorphology, and transfer adsorbed nutrients and pollutants from catchment slopes to the fluvial system. This paper presents a modelling tool for simulating the time‐dependent response of the fine sediment system in catchments, using an integrated approach that incorporates both land phase and in‐stream processes of sediment generation, storage and transfer. The performance of the model is demonstrated by applying it to simulate in‐stream suspended sediment concentrations in two lowland catchments in southern England, the Enborne and the Lambourn, which exhibit contrasting hydrological and sediment responses due to differences in substrate permeability. The sediment model performs well in the Enborne catchment, where direct runoff events are frequent and peak suspended sediment concentrations can exceed 600 mg l^?1. The general trends in the in‐stream concentrations in the Lambourn catchment are also reproduced by the model, although the observed concentrations are low (rarely exceeding 50 mg l^?1) and the background variability in the concentrations is not fully characterized by the model. Direct runoff events are rare in this highly permeable catchment, resulting in a weak coupling between the sediment delivery system and the catchment hydrology. The generic performance of the model is also assessed using a generalized sensitivity analysis based on the parameter bounds identified in the catchment applications. Results indicate that the hydrological parameters contributing to the sediment response include those controlling (1) the partitioning of runoff between surface and soil zone flows and (2) the fractional loss of direct runoff volume prior to channel delivery. The principal sediment processes controlling model behaviour in the simulations are the transport capacity of direct runoff and the in‐stream generation, storage and release of the fine sediment fraction. The in‐stream processes appear to be important in maintaining the suspended sediment concentrations during low flows in the River Enborne and throughout much of the year in the River Lambourn. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Model study of the effect of temporal storm distributions on peak discharges and volumes

ABSTRACT

A series of synthetic five-year return period storms having rectangular, triangular and bimodal (triangular) temporal profiles was compiled from depthduration-frequency (D-D-F) relationships based on (a) standard sorted clock time depths and (b) complete storms only. These were used as inputs to a catchment runoff model to simulate the peaks and volumes of runoff from an actual and a hypothetical catchment respectively. The hypothetical catchment was used to prove the adequacy of the simplified hyetographs and the real catchment to demonstrate the difference in runoff hydrographs for the various hyetographs. The results were compared to establish the effect of storm profiles on peak and volume of runoff as well as to indicate the shortcomings of D-D-F relationships derived by conventional methods. In general, on the assumption that the model correctly converts storm input to runoff, triangular, and in particular bimodal, profiles were shown to reproduce adequately runoff peaks and volumes.     

Analysis of seasonal snowmelt contribution using a distributed energy balance model for a river basin in the Altai Mountains of northwestern China

Snowmelt water is a vital freshwater resource in the Altai Mountains of northwestern China. Yet its seasonal hydrological cycle characteristics could change under a warming climate and more rapid spring snowmelt. Here, we simulated snowmelt runoff dynamics in the Kayiertesi River catchment, from 2000 to 2016, by using an improved hydrological distribution model that relied on high-resolution meteorological data acquired from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (Fnl-NCEP) that were downscaled using the Weather Research Forecasting model. Its predictions were compared to observed runoff data, which confirmed the simulations' reliability. Our results show the model performed well, in general, given its daily validation Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.62 (from 2013 to 2015) and a monthly NSE score of 0.68 (from 2000 to 2010) for the studied river basin of the Altai Mountains. In this river basin catchment, snowfall accounted for 64.1% of its precipitation and snow evaporation for 49.8% of its total evaporation, while snowmelt runoff constituted 29.3% of the annual runoff volume. Snowmelt's contribution to runoff in the Altai Mountains can extend into non-snow days because of the snowmelt water retained in soils. From 2000 to 2016, the snow-to-rain ratio decreased rapidly, however, the snowmelt contribution remained relatively stable in the study region. Our findings provide a sound basis for making snowmelt runoff predictions, which could be used prevent snowmelt-induced flooding, as well as a generalizable approach applicable to other remote, high-elevation locations where high-density, long-term observational data are currently lacking. How snowmelt contributes to water dynamics and resources in cold regions is garnering greater attention. Our proposed model is thus timely perhaps, enabling more comprehensive assessments of snowmelt contributions to hydrological processes in those alpine regions characterized by seasonal snow cover.     

A hillslope-based hydrological model using catchment area and width functions

Abstract

A flow-interval hillslope discretization scheme is proposed for catchment hydrological modelling. By this scheme, a two-dimensional catchment is simplified into a one-dimensional cascade of flow intervals linked by the main stream. Each flow interval comprises a set of parallel hillslopes. The hillslope is the fundamental computational unit in the hydrological model providing lateral inflow to the main stream. The size of hillslope is determined by the catchment area and width functions. Catchment runoff is the total of hillslope responses through the river routing. Tests in four Japanese catchments showed that the model performed well on simulating the overall water balance, general flow pattern, and daily and hourly hydrographs of a whole catchment, as well as simultaneous simulation in different subcatchments. Characteristics of catchment hydrological responses and model applicability are discussed.     

Adopting the downward approach in hydrological model development: the Bradford catchment case study

The paper presents the development of a lumped conceptual rainfall‐runoff model [Transformation of rainfall to runoff, Variability across timescales and Model parsimonization (TVM)] and a series of tests on various levels of model structure at different time resolutions. It is applied to the Bradford catchment in the United Kingdom. The TVM model is developed with a flexible structure through various relationships in each module that can be modified depending on the study catchments. Adopting the downward approach, parsimonious models are developed to examine at what level of complexity the model is able to capture runoff variability. The approach aims to compromise between parsimonious and complex alternatives in model development. This study shows that model structure requires data at different aggregation levels of timescales depending on its complexity. It reveals that the absence of the infiltration excess strongly affected all models. The analysis shows that the time resolution of hourly downwards must be used for the study catchment. The investigation of model complexity indicates that the combination of the most complicated model structure and timescale of quarter‐hourly is adequate to capture the catchment runoff characteristics. The downward approach in the TVM model helps to gain a deeper understanding of water balance and runoff process in the study catchment. The approach could be applicable to other catchments to obtain parsimonious models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unit hydrograph estimation with multiple events and prior information: II. Evaluation of the method

Abstract

The method of regularization with additional information proposed by the authors is evaluated in a split sample test which compares it with the least squares and ordinary regularization methods. Data from 30 catchments are used. Additional information is provided by a simple conceptual model either fitted by a regression on physical characteristics of the catchment or fitted to the catchment lag determined from the data. The method is very useful when only a few rainfall/runoff events are available for analysis. When a large number of events is available, the ordinary regularization method is sufficient.     

Simulated impacts of climate change and land‐clearing on runoff from a small Sahelian catchment

In the Sahel, there are few long‐term data series available to estimate the climatic and anthropogenic impacts on runoff in small catchments. Since 1950, land clearing has enhanced runoff. The question is whether and by how much this anthropogenic effect offsets the current drought. To answer this question, a physically based distributed hydrological model was used to simulate runoff in a small Sahelian catchment in Niger, from the 1950–1998 rain‐series. The simulation was carried out for three soil surface states of the catchment (1950, 1975 and 1992). The catchment is characterized by an increase in cultivated land, with associated fallow, from 6% in 1950 to 56% in 1992, together with an increase in the extent of eroded land (from 7 to 16%), at the expense of the savanna. Effects of climate and land use are first analysed separately: irrespective of the land cover state, the simulated mean annual runoff decreases by about 40% from the wet period (1950–1969) to the dry period (1970–1998); calculated on the 1950–1998 rainfall‐series, the changes that occurred in land cover between 1950 and 1992 multiplies the mean annual runoff by a factor close to three. The analysis of a joint climatic and anthropogenic change shows that the transition from a wet period under a ‘natural’ land cover (1950) to a dry period under a cultivated land cover (1992) results in an increase in runoff of the order of 30 to 70%. At the scale of a small Sahelian catchment, the anthropogenic impact on runoff is probably more important than that of drought. This figure for relative increase in runoff contributions to ponds, preferential sites of seepage to groundwater, is less than that currently estimated for aquifer recharge, which has been causing a significant continuous water table rise over the same period. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.