Development and parameterization of an infiltration model accounting for water depth and rainfall intensity

Experimental work has clearly shown that the effective hydraulic conductivity (K_e) or effective infiltration rate (f_e) on the local scale of a plot cannot be considered as constant but are dependent on water depth and rainfall intensity because non‐random microtopography‐related variations in hydraulic conductivity occur. Rainfall–runoff models generally do not account for this: models assume that excess water is uniformly spread over the soil surface and within‐plot variations are neglected. In the present study, we propose a model that is based on the concepts of microtopography‐related water depth‐dependent infiltration and partial contributing area. Expressions for the plot scale K_e and f_e were developed that depend on rainfall intensity and runon from upslope (and thus on water depth). To calibrate and validate the model, steady state infiltration experiments were conducted on maize fields on silt loam soils in Belgium, with different stages and combinations of rainfall intensity and inflow, simulating rainfall and runon. Water depth–discharge and depth–inundation relationships were established and used to estimate the effect of inundation on K_e. Although inflow‐only experiments were found to be unsuitable for calibration, the model was successfully calibrated and validated with the rainfall simulation data and combined rainfall–runon data (R²: 0.43–0.91). Calibrated and validated with steady state infiltration experiments, the model was combined with the Green–Ampt infiltration equation and can be applied within a two‐dimensional distributed rainfall–runoff model. The effect of water depth–dependency and rainfall intensity on infiltration was illustrated for a hillslope. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil moisture and rainfall intensity thresholds for runoff generation in southwestern Wisconsin agricultural watersheds

The goal of this study was to improve understanding of the factors that influence runoff generation during non‐frozen ground periods in small agricultural watersheds in southwestern Wisconsin where the landscapes are controlled by dolostone bedrock in order to provide agricultural producers with a manure management tool. Six small watersheds (ranging from 6 to 17 ha) within two southwestern Wisconsin farm sites (Discovery Farms Program (DFP) and Pioneer Farm (PF)) were instrumented, and surface runoff was continuously monitored from 2004 to 2007. The soils in all watersheds were formed in deep (~1 m) loessial sites. A direct‐plant management strategy and corn‐soybean crop rotation were utilized within watersheds at DFP. A conventional tillage system (chisel plow in the fall followed by soil finisher in the spring) and a corn‐oat‐alfalfa crop rotation were utilized within watersheds at PF. At PF, the amount of precipitation leaving the landscape as surface runoff (1.8%) was two times greater compared to DFP (0.9%), indicating that the direct‐plant management system was better at retaining precipitation than the chisel plow/soil finisher system. Using breakpoint regression analysis, a non‐linear response in runoff generation with antecedent soil moisture (ASM) was observed with a threshold ASM of 0.39 cm³cm^?3 (approximately 80% of total porosity) for all six watersheds. Below this threshold, runoff coefficients were near zero. Above this threshold, runoff coefficients increased with ASM. A non‐linear response in runoff generation with maximum 30 min rainfall intensity (I30) was also observed, and threshold I30 values increased as ASM decreased and as crop cover increased. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors influencing surface runoff generation in a Mediterranean semi-arid environment: Chicamo watershed,SE Spain

A deeper knowledge of the hydrological response of semi-arid Mediterranean watersheds would be useful in the prediction of runoff production for assessing flood risks and planning flood mitigation works. This study was conducted to identify the runoff generation mechanisms and their controlling factors at the hillslope scale in a Mediterranean semi-arid watershed. Four zero-order microcatchments were selected to measure rainfall and runoff for a three-year period. Two groups of soil were differentiated with respect to the hydrological response. The fine textured, poorly permeable soils of low organic carbon content had a greater runoff coefficient (9%) and lower runoff threshold (3·6 mm) than more permeable, coarser textured soils of medium organic carbon content (<3%, and 8 mm, respectively). The influence of rainfall characteristics on the hydrological response was different. Rain intensity was the major rainfall parameter controlling the runoff response in the microcatchments on fine textured, low infiltrability soils with a poor plant cover, while total rainfall was more closely correlated with runoff in coarser textured, highly permeable soils with a denser plant cover. It can be concluded that there are two runoff generation mechanisms: (i) an infiltration-excess overland flow in the more degraded areas with low organic carbon content (<0·5%) and low infiltrability (>5 mm h⁻¹); and (ii) a saturation-excess overland flow in the less degraded areas with a high organic carbon content (>2%), high infiltrability (>8 mm h⁻¹) and covered by a dense plant cover (>50%). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of freeze–thaw cycles of active soil layer on surface runoff in a permafrost watershed

As a result of global warming, the discharges from rivers in permafrost regions have varied significantly. However, its mechanism remains unclear. One of possible factors is active soil freeze–thaw cycle, which may influence surface runoff in the variation of permafrost water cycle processes. In this study, a typical permafrost watershed in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau was selected, its hydrological processes were monitored from 2004 to 2007, and the effects of the freezing and thawing depth of the soil active layer on runoff processes were assessed. The runoff modulus, runoff coefficient, direct runoff ratio, recession gradient and their seasonal variations were estimated and analyzed. The active soil dynamics and water budget were analyzed to prove the features of the surface runoff and the influences of active soil freeze–thaw processes. The primary factors influencing surface runoff processes during different seasons were analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and statistical regression methods. The results showed that the high runoff coefficient and low direct runoff ratio were the main characteristics during the spring flood period (May–June) and during the autumn recession period (September). The runoff modulus and its year-to-year variability were the greatest in the summer flood period. The direct runoff ratio decreased from 0.43 in May to 0.29 in September, with the exception of the highest ratio, which occurred during the summer recession period (July). The active soil thawing in the upper layer of depth of 60 cm had contributed to increase in discharge, but the increase in thawing depth deeper than 60 cm led to a decrease in surface runoff and slowness in the recession process. Precipitation played a small role in the spring flood runoff and the autumn runoff. The soil active layer freeze–thaw variation, which affected seasonal soil water dynamic and water budget and reformed seasonal runoff characteristics, along with vegetation cover changes, is considered the potential major factor in control of the hydrological processes in the permafrost region.     

The errors in surface runoff prediction by neglecting the relationship between infiltration rate and overland flow depth

Many simplifications are used in modeling surface runoff over a uniform slope. A very common simplification is to determine the infiltration rate independent of the overland flow depth and to combine it afterward with the kinematic-wave equation to determine the overland flow depth. Another simplication is to replace the spatially variable infiltration rates along the slope i(x, t) due to the water depth variations h(x,t) with an infiltration rate that is determined at a certain location along the slope. The aim of this study is to evaluate the errors induced by these simplications on predicted infiltration rates, overland flow depths, and total runoff volume. The error analysis is accomplished by comparing a simplified model with a model where the interaction between the overland flow depth and infiltration rate is counted. In this model, the infiltration rate is assumed to vary along the slope with the overland flow depth, even for homogeneous soil profiles. The kinematic-wave equation with interactive infiltration rate, calculated along the slopy by Richard's equation, are then solved by a finite difference scheme for a 100-m-long uniform slope. In the first error analysis, we study the effect of combining an ‘exact’ and ‘approximate’ one-dimensional infiltration rate with the kinematic-wave equation for three different soil surface roughness coefficients. The terms ‘exact’ and ‘approximate’ stand for the solution of Richard's equation with and without using the overland flow depth in the boundary condition, respectively. The simulations showed that higher infiltration rates and lower overland flow depths are obtained during the rising stage of the hydrograph when overland flow depth is used in the upper boundary condition of the one-dimensional Richard's equation. During the recession period, the simplified model predicts lower infiltration rates and higher overland flow depths. The absolute relative errors between the ‘exact’ and ‘approximate’ solutions are positively correlated to the overland flow depths which increase with the soil surface roughness coefficient. For this error analysis, the relative errors in surface runoff volume per unit slope width throughout the storm are much smaller than the relative errors in momentary overland flow depths and discharges due to the alternate signs of the deviations along the rising and falling stages. In the second error analysis, when the spatially variable infiltration rate along the slope i(x, t) is replaced in the kinematic-wave equation by i(t), calculated at the slope outlet, the overland flow depth is underestimated during the rising stage of the hydrograph and overestimated during the falling stage. The deviations during the rising stage are much smaller than the deviations during the falling stage, but they are of a longer duration. This occurs because the solution with i(x, t) recognizes that part of the slope becomes dry after rainfall stops, while overland flow still exists with i(t) determined at the slope outlet. As obtained for the first error analysis, the relative errors in surface runoff volume per unit slope width are also much smaller than the relative errors in momentary overland flow depths and discharges. The relation between the errors in overland flow depth and discharge to different mathematical simplifications enables to evaluate whether certain simplifications are justified or more computational efforts should be used.     

Effects of rainfall intensity and slope gradient on the application of vetiver grass mulch in soil and water conservation

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of rainfall intensity and slope gradient on the performance ofvetiver grass mulch (VGM) in soil and water conservation.The study involved field ...     

Hydrological modelling of a small watershed using generated rainfall in the soil and water assessment tool model

An adequately tested soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was applied to the runoff and sediment yield of a small agricultural watershed in eastern India using generated rainfall. The capability of the model for generating rainfall was evaluated for a period of 18 years (1981–1998). The watershed and subwatershed boundaries, drainage networks, slope, soil series and texture maps were generated using a geographical information system (GIS). A supervised classification method was used for land‐use/cover classification from satellite imageries. Model simulated monthly rainfall for the period of 18 years was compared with observations. Simulated monthly rainfall, runoff and sediment yield values for the monsoon season of 8 years (1991–1998) were also compared with their observed values. In general monthly average rainfall predicted by the model was in close agreement with the observed monthly average values. Also, simulated monthly average values of surface runoff and sediment yield using generated rainfall compared well with observed values during the monsoon season of the years 1991–1998. Results of this study revealed that the SWAT model can generate monthly average rainfall satisfactorily and thereby can produce monthly average values of surface runoff and sediment yield close to the observed values. Therefore, it can be concluded that the SWAT model could be used for developing a multiple year management plan for the critical erosion prone areas of a small watershed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Green‐Ampt Curve‐Number mixed procedure as an empirical tool for rainfall–runoff modelling in small and ungauged basins

The Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS‐CN) method is a popular rainfall–runoff model that is widely used to estimate direct runoff from small and ungauged basins. The SCS‐CN is a simple and valuable approach to quantify the total streamflow volume generated by storm rainfall, but its use is not appropriate for estimating the sub‐daily incremental rainfall excess. To overcome this drawback, we propose to include the Green‐Ampt (GA) infiltration model into a mixed procedure, which is referred to as Curve Number for Green‐Ampt (CN4GA), aiming to distribute in time the information provided by the SCS‐CN method. For a given storm, the computed SCS‐CN total net rainfall amount is employed to calibrate the soil hydraulic conductivity parameter of the GA model. The proposed procedure is evaluated by analysing 100 rainfall–runoff events that were observed in four small catchments of varying size. CN4GA appears to provide encouraging results for predicting the net rainfall peak and duration values and has shown, at least for the test cases considered in this study, better agreement with the observed hydrographs than the classic SCS‐CN method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combining a rainfall–runoff model and a regionalization approach for flood and water resource assessment in the western Po Valley,Italy

ABSTRACT

Selecting the best structure and parameterization of rainfall–runoff models is not straightforward and depends on a broad number of factors. In this study, the “Modello Idrologico Semi-Distribuito in continuo” (MISDc) was tested on 63 mountainous catchments in the western Po Valley (Italy) and the optimal model parameters were regionalized using different strategies. The model performance was evaluated through several indexes analysing hydrological regime, high-flow condition and flow–duration curve (FDC). In general, MISDc provides a good fit behaviour with a Kling-Gupta Efficiency index greater than 0.5 for 100% and 84% of cases for calibration and validation, respectively. Concerning the regionalization, spatial proximity approach is the most accurate solution obtaining satisfactory performance. Lastly, the predicted FDCs showed an excellent similarity with the observed ones. Results encourage to apply MISDc over the study area for flood forecasting and for assessing water resources availability thanks to the modest computational efforts and data requirements.     

An isotopic and geochemical study of snowmelt runoff in a small arctic watershed

‘Old’ water contributions to snowmelt runoff in a stream can be defined as water which was stored in the catchment prior to the start of the runoff event in question. We used mass balance techniques for natural oxygen-18 and several chemical parameters (electrical conductivity, Ca and Mg) to estimate the magnitude and timing of ‘old’ water contributions to snowmelt runoff in the Apex River watershed during the 1983 field season. The Apex River catchment is located in the southern part of Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. The watershed has an area of 60 km², it is in the zone of continuous permafrost, and the geology is dominantly Precambrian gneiss with sporadic, thin, glacial overburden. The isotopic data indicate that for the snowmelt season of 1983 (third highest peak discharge of 11 years of record), approximately 50 per cent of the peak stream discharge consisted of ‘old’ water. Our data also suggest that about 60 per cent of the entire 1983 hydrograph was ‘old’ water. The chemical parameters give old water contributions which are at least 10 per cent less than the isotopically-derived estimate, but they are consistent with the isotopic estimate during peak flow.     

Mechanisms responsible for streamflow generation on a small,salt-affected and deeply weathered hillslope

This paper considers the contributions of overland flow, throughflow and deep seepage to the generation of streamflow in a salt-affected, deeply weathered landscape. Runoff mechanisms on a small hillslope in south-western Australia were dependent on the extent and development of variable source areas. In winter, streamflow generation was controlled by returnflow, saturation overland flow and throughflow. In summer, post-ponding, infiltration-excess and saturation overland flow dominated. The extent of the variable source area and the magnitude of streamflow were due to antecedent soil moisture, rainfall and slope morphology. Concave hillslope sections accumulated soil moisture due to both saturated and unsaturated lateral flow processes. Throughflow provided the mechanism and vehicle for solute movement from the groundwater discharge area to the stream. However, discharge from the deep aquifer was the primary mechanism responsible for soil salinity and maintaining the core of the variable source area. Estimates of throughflow which only take account of soil-water movement and disregard returnflow, will underestimate the magnitude of throughflow.     

Hydrological and sediment yield response to summer rainfall in a small high Arctic watershed

In cold regions, the response and related antecedent mechanisms that produce flood flows from rainfall events have received limited study. In 2007, a small watershed at Cape Bounty, Melville Island, Nunavut, was studied in detail during the melt season. Two rainfall events on June 30 and July 22, totalling 9·2 and 10·8 mm, respectively, represented significant contributions to seasonal discharge and sediment transport in a year with a low winter snowpack. The precipitation events elevated discharge and suspended sediment concentrations to twice the magnitude of the nival melt, and generated the only measurable downstream lacustrine turbidity current of the season. In two days, rainfall runoff transported 35% of the seasonal suspended sediment load, in contrast to 29% transported over the nival freshet. The magnitude and intensity of the rain events were not unusual in this setting, but the rainfall response was substantial in comparison with equivalent past events. Exceptional temperatures of July 2007 generated early, deep permafrost thaw, and ground ice melt. The resultant increase in soil moisture amplified the subsequent rainfall runoff and sediment transport response. These results demonstrate the importance of antecedent moisture conditions and the role of permafrost active layer development as an important factor in the rainfall runoff and sediment transport response to precipitation events. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of the geometry and volumes of small surface water reservoirs by remote sensing in a semi-arid region with high reservoir density

Water fluxes in highly impounded regions are heavily dependent on reservoir properties. However, for large and remote areas, this information is often unavailable. In this study, the geometry and volume of small surface reservoirs in the semi-arid region of Brazil were estimated using terrain and shape attributes extracted by remote sensing. Regression models and data classification were used to predict the volumes, at different water stages, of 312 reservoirs for which topographic information is available. The power function used to describe the reservoir shapes tends to overestimate the volumes; therefore, a modified shape equation was proposed. Among the methods tested, four were recommended based on performance and simplicity, for which the mean absolute percentage errors varied from 24 to 39%, in contrast to the 94% error achieved with the traditional method. Despite the challenge of precisely deriving the flooded areas of reservoirs, water management in highly reservoir-dense environments should benefit from volume prediction based on remote sensing.     

Seasonal rainfall partitioning under runon and runoff conditions on sandy soil in Niger. On-farm measurements and water balance modelling

In sparsely cropped farming systems in semi-arid tropics, rainfall partitioning can be complex due to various interactions between vertical and horizontal water flows, both in the atmosphere and in the soil. Despite this, quantifying the seasonal rainfall partitioning is essential, in order to identify options for increased yields. Results are presented on water flow components, based on field measurements and water balance modelling, for three years (1994–96) in a farmer's field cultivated with pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Br.] in the Sahel (Niger). Water balance modelling was carried out for three common infiltration categories: runoff producing surfaces, surfaces receiving inflow of runon water from upstream zones, and a reference surface with zero runoff and runon. Runoff was calculated to 25%–30% of annual rainfall (which ranged from 488 to 596 mm), from crust observations, rainfall, soil wetness data, and infiltration estimates. Inflow of runon was estimated from field observations to 8%–18% of annual rainfall. The parameters in the functions for soil surface and canopy resistances were calibrated with field measurements of soil evaporation, stomatal conductance and leaf area. The model estimates of soil water contents, which were validated against neutron probe measurements, showed a reasonable agreement with observed data, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of approximately 0.02 m³ m⁻³ for 0–160 cm soil depth. Estimated productive water flow as plant transpiration was low, amounting to 4%–9% of the available water for the non-fertilised crop and 7%–24% for the fertilised crop. Soil evaporation accounted for 31%–50% of the available water, and showed a low variation for the observed range of leaf area (LAI <1 m² m⁻²). Deep percolation was high, amounting to 200–330 mm for the non-crusted surfaces, which exceeded soil evaporation losses, for 1994–95 with relatively high annual rainfall (517–596 mm). Even a year with lower rainfall (488 mm) and a distinct dry spell during flowering (1996), resulted in an estimated deep percolation of 160 mm for the non-fertilised crop. The crop did not benefit from the additional inflow of runon water, which was partitioned between soil water storage and deep percolation. The only exception to this was the fertilised crop in 1996, where runon somewhat compensated for the limited rainfall and the higher water demand as a result of a larger leaf area than the non-fertilised crop. The effects of rainfall erraticness, resulting in episodic droughts, explain why a crop that uses such a small proportion of the available water, in an environment with substantial deep percolation, still suffers from water scarcity. Application of small levels of phosphorus and nitrogen roughly doubled yields, from 380 to 620 kg ha⁻¹, and plant transpiration, from 33 to 78 mm. Evapotranspirational water use efficiency (WUE_ET) was low, 6500–8300 m³ ton⁻¹ grain for non-fertilised crop, which is an effect of the low on-farm yields and high non-productive water losses. The estimated seasonal rainfall partitioning indicates the possibility of quantifying vertical water flows in on-farm environments in the Sahel, despite the presence of surface overland flow.     

Modeling the runoff and glacier mass balance in a small watershed on the Central Tibetan Plateau,China, from 1955 to 2008

The glaciers on Tibetan Plateau play an important role in the catchment hydrology of this region. However, our knowledge with respect to water circulation in this remote area is scarce. In this study, the HBV light model, which adopts the degree‐day model for glacial melting, was employed to simulate the total runoff, the glacier runoff and glacier mass balance (GMB) of the Dongkemadi River Basin (DRB) at the headwater of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Firstly, the daily temperature and precipitation of the DRB from 1955 to 2008 were obtained by statistical methods, based on daily meteorological data observed in the DRB (2005–2008) and recorded by four national meteorological stations near the DRB (1955–2008). Secondly, we used 4‐year daily air temperature, precipitation, runoff depth and monthly evaporation, which were observed in the DRB, as input to obtain a set of proper parameters. Then, the annual runoff, the glacier runoff and GMB (1955–2008) were calculated using the HBV model driven by interpolated meteorological data. The calculated GMB fits well with the observed results. At last, using the temperature and precipitation predicted by climate models, we predicted the changes of runoff depth and GMB of the DRB in the next 40 years. Under all climate‐change scenarios, annual glacier runoff shows a significant increase due to intensified ice melting. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecohydrologic considerations for modeling of stable water isotopes in a small intermittent watershed

Naturally occurring stable water isotope tracers provide useful information for hydrologic model development and calibration. Existing models include varied approaches concerning unsaturated zone percolation mixing (preferential versus matrix flow) and evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning. We assess the impact of unsaturated zone simplifying assumptions when simulating the Shale Hills Watershed, a small (7.9 ha), temperate, forested watershed near Petersburg, Pennsylvania, USA, with a relatively simple model. We found that different model structures/assumptions and parameterizations of unsaturated zone percolation had substantial impacts on the agreement between simulated and observed unsaturated‐zone water isotopic signatures. We show that unsaturated zone percolation mixing primarily affects the unsaturated zone δ¹⁸O and δ²H during winter and spring and that percolation was best represented as a combination of both preferential and matrix flow. We evaluate the importance and implications related to the partitioning of ET into evaporation and transpiration and demonstrated that incorporation of a plant growth model for ET partitioning substantially improved reproduction of observed hydrologic isotopic patterns of the unsaturated zone during the spring season. We show that unsaturated zone percolation mixing and ET partitioning approaches do not substantially influence stream δ¹⁸O and δ²H and conclude that observed streamflow isotopic data is not always a strong predictor of model performance with respect to intrawatershed processes.     

水深梯度对苦草(Vallisneria natans)克隆生长与觅食行为的影响

为了解水深梯度对苦草克隆生长与觅食行为的影响,通过大型原位浮台实验,将苦草幼苗盆栽后悬挂在不同水深(1.0、2.5、4.0、5.5、7.0 m)下培养,比较其生物量、无性系分株数、出芽数、株高、最大根长和匍匐茎总长的变化,并且评估了植株生物量对这些性状的影响.研究结果表明,随水深的增加苦草的生物量、无性系分株数、出芽数、最大根长、匍匐茎总长均显著降低,而株高随水深梯度呈先增加后降低的趋势.植株生物量仅对出芽数没有显著影响.水深梯度与植株生物量的交互作用仅对无性系分株数和匍匐茎总长有显著影响,而对其他性状没有显著影响,说明这两个性状对水深的响应受到个体发育的影响.     

Lumped surface and sub‐surface runoff for erosion modeling within a small hilly watershed in northern Vietnam

Developing models to predict on‐site soil erosion and off‐site sediment transport at the agricultural watershed scale represent an on‐going challenge in research today. This study attempts to simulate the daily discharge and sediment loss using a distributed model that combines surface and sub‐surface runoffs in a small hilly watershed (< 1 km²). The semi‐quantitative model, Predict and Localize Erosion and Runoff (PLER), integrates the Manning–Strickler equation to simulate runoff and the Griffith University Erosion System Template equation to simulate soil detachment, sediment storage and soil loss based on a map resolution of 30 m × 30 m and over a daily time interval. By using a basic input data set and only two calibration coefficients based, respectively, on water velocity and soil detachment, the PLER model is easily applicable to different agricultural scenarios. The results indicate appropriate model performance and a high correlation between measured and predicted data with both Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (Ef) and correlation coefficient (r²) having values > 0.9. With the simple input data needs, PLER model is a useful tool for daily runoff and soil erosion modeling in small hilly watersheds in humid tropical areas. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling snow water equivalent and spring runoff in a boreal watershed,James Bay,Canada

The hydrology of boreal regions is strongly influenced by seasonal snow accumulation and melt. In this study, we compare simulations of snow water equivalent (SWE) and streamflow by using the hydrological model HYDROTEL with two contrasting approaches for snow modelling: a mixed degree‐day/energy balance model (small number of inputs, but several calibration parameters needed) and the thermodynamic model CROCUS (large number of inputs, but no calibration parameter needed). The study site, in Northern Quebec, Canada was equipped with a ground‐based gamma ray sensor measuring the SWE continuously for 5 years in a small forest clearing. The first simulation of CROCUS showed a tendency to underestimate SWE, attributable to bias in the meteorological inputs. We found that it was appropriate to use a threshold of 2 °C to separate rain and snow. We also applied a correction to account for snowfall undercatch by the precipitation gauge. After these modifications to the input dataset, we noticed that CROCUS clearly overestimated the SWE, likely as a result of not including loss in SWE because of blowing snow sublimation and relocation. To correct this, we included into CROCUS a simple parameterisation effective after a certain wind speed threshold, after which the thermodynamic model performed much better than the traditional mixed degree‐day/energy balance model. HYDROTEL was then used to simulate streamflow with both snow models. With CROCUS, the main peak flow could be captured, but the second peak because of delayed snowmelt from forested areas could not be reproduced due to a lack of sub‐canopy radiation data to feed CROCUS. Despite the relative homogeneity of the boreal landscape, data inputs from each land cover type are needed to generate satisfying simulation of the spring runoff. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimation of discharges of water flows and debris floods in a small watershed

Floods in small mountainous watersheds cover a wide spectrum of flow. They can range from clear water flows and hyperconcentrated flows to debris floods and debris flows, and calculation of the peak discharge is crucial for predicting and mitigating such hazards. To determine the optimal approach for discharge estimation, this study compared water flow monitoring hydrographs to investigate the performance of five hydrological models that incorporate different runoff yields and influx calculation methods. Two of the models performed well in simulating the peak discharge, peak time, and total flow volume of the water flood. The ratio (γ) of the monitored debris flood discharge (Q_d) to the simulated water flow discharge (Q_w) was investigated. Qualitatively, γ initially increased with Q_w but then decreased when Q_w exceeded a certain threshold, which corresponded to rainfall of 95 and 120 mm in a 6- and 24-h event with a normal distribution of precipitation, respectively. The decrease might be attributable to a threshold of sediment availability being reached, beyond which increased flow rate is not matched by increased sediment input in the large watershed. Uncertainty of hydrological calculation was evaluated by dividing the catchment into sub-basins and adopting different rainfall time steps as input. The efficiency of using a distributed simulation exhibited marginal improvement potential compared with a lumped simulation. Conversely, the rainfall time step input significantly affected the simulation results by delaying the peak time and decreasing the peak discharge. This research demonstrates the applicability of a discharge estimation method that combines a hydrological water flow simulation and an estimation of γ. The results were verified on the basis of monitored flow densities and videos obtained in two watersheds with areas of 2.34 and 32.4 km².