Clark's and Espey's unit hydrographs vs the gamma unit hydrograph / Les hydrogrammes unitaires de Clark et de Espey vs l'hydrogramme unitaire de forme loi gamma

Abstract

A two-parameter gamma distribution for synthetic unit hydrographs (SUH) is compared with the Clark's and Espey's SUHs. A critical comparison of Clark's and gamma UHs, in terms of recession characteristics and time–area curve, is presented. It is observed that, in principle, a gamma UH can represent the hydrograph recession better than the Clark's UH does. Selection of a time–area curve is needed for obtaining the Clark's UH. The main problem in developing a SUH using the Clark's method is identified as the non-availability of a parametric form of the time–area curve. The time–area curve as represented in the hydrological model HEC-1, for the use in Clark's method, is found inadequate and unjustified. Gamma UHs obtained without optimization, for several examples, are found consistent with their physical meanings and better than the respective Clark's UH in reproducing runoff obtained with optimization. The parameters of Clark's UH (i.e. time of concentration and recession constant), as optimized through the HEC-1 program, are found inconsistent with their empirical origins and physical meanings; these lose their physical meaning and serve only as fitting parameters. This is due to the inappropriate time–area curve. A gamma UH has also the advantage of having fewer parameters than Clark's UH, which makes it more identifiable while still maintaining a connection with the physics of the problem. Espey's SUH for urban watersheds is transmuted to a gamma distribution using the empirical equations for the peak and time to peak of the UH. A numerical UH for a gauged catchment, generally obtained through linear programming or a least-squares approach, can be easily transmuted to a gamma UH and, hence, can be given a conceptual interpretation. Thus, these can also be used for developing a SUH.     

Prediction of base flows from basin characteristics: a case study from Zimbabwe / Prévision de débits de base à partir de caractéristiques du bassin: une étude de cas au Zimbabwe

Abstract

Abstract Base flows make up the flows of most rivers in Zimbabwe during the dry season. Prediction of base flows from basin characteristics is necessary for water resources planning of ungauged basins. Linear regression and artificial neural networks were used to predict the base flow index (BFI) from basin characteristics for 52 basins in Zimbabwe. Base flow index was positively related to mean annual precipitation (r = 0.71), basin slope (r = 0.76), and drainage density (r = 0.29), and negatively related to mean annual evapotranspiration (r = –0.74), and proportion of a basin with grasslands and wooded grasslands (r = –0.53). Differences in lithology did not significantly affect BFI. Linear regression and artificial neural networks were both suitable for predicting BFI values. The predicted BFI was used in turn to derive flow duration curves of the 52 basins and with R ² being 0.89–0.99.     

Variabilités interannuelle et intra-saisonnière des pluies aux échelles hydrologiques. La mousson ouest-africaine en climat soudanien / Seasonal cycle and interannual variability of rainfall at hydrological scales. The West African monsoon in a Sudanese climate

Abstract

West African rainfall is characterized by a strong variability, both at decadal and interannual scales. In order to quantify the hydrological impacts of such a variability, analysis of rainfall patterns at fine scales is highly essential. This diagnostic study aims to characterize the Sudanese rainfall regime at hydrological scales, using a raingauge data set collected on the upper Oueme River catchment (Benin) between 1950 and 2002. A long-term drought is observed during the 1970s and 1980s, as in the Sahel. However, the interannual variability remains significant in the Sudanese region. The study of the seasonal cycle, based on the distinction between the oceanic and continental monsoon regimes, shows that the majority of rainfall changes occur in the continental regime. On the one hand, the rainfall peak associated with this regime that has been observed for the last 50 years has occurred increasingly earlier in the season. On the other hand, the annual rainfall deficit is mainly linked to the decrease in the number of large events during the continental part of the season.     

Exploring possible connections between hydrological extreme events and climate change in central south Chile

Abstract

Motivated by recent extreme flow events in the Mataquito River located in the Mediterranean region of Chile, we performed a detailed trend analysis of critical hydroclimatic variables based on observed daily flow, precipitation and temperature within the basin. For the period 1976–2008, positive trends in temperature were observed, especially during spring and summer months. At the same time, we found negative trends in the frequency and intensity of precipitation, especially during spring months. We observed an increasing difference between average streamflow in the rainy season as compared to the snowmelt season. Part of this trend is caused by larger flows during autumn months, although no positive precipitation trends are observed for these months. Finally, significant reductions in minimum flow during spring/summer and a disproportionate concentration of high-flow events occurring in the last 10 years were also identified. These high-flow events tend to happen during autumn months, and are associated with high precipitation and high minimum temperatures. Based on a simple assessment of changes in irrigated agriculture and land use, we concluded that other non-climatic factors seem not to be as relevant to the detected flow trends. All these results are in accord with future climate change scenarios that show an increase in temperature, a reduction in average precipitation and a reduction in snow accumulation. Such future scenarios could seriously hamper the development of economic activities in this basin, exemplifying also a fate that may be shared by other similar basins in Chile and in other regions of the world.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Vicuña, S., Gironás, J., Meza, F.J., Cruzat, M.L., Jelinek, M., Bustos, E., Poblete, D., and Bambach, N., 2013. Exploring possible connections between hydrological extreme events and climate change in central south Chile. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (8), 1598–1619.     

Snow in Lebanon: a preliminary study of snow cover over Mount Lebanon and a simple snowmelt model / Etude préliminaire du couvert neigeux et modèle de fonte des neige pour le Mont Liban

Abstract

The physical properties of snow, including apparent density, snow cover distribution and snowmelt in the Nahr El Kelb basin (Mount Lebanon), were studied in order to design a simple empirical snowmelt model. In February 2001, snow covered an area of 1600 km² on Mount Lebanon, representing a water equivalent of 1.1 x 10⁹ m³. The snow surface area was calculated by combining TM5 images with a digital elevation model, and field observations made every three days, from 1400 to 2300 m altitude. The depletion of snow cover was measured from the end of December 2000 to the end of June 2001. The snowmelt was measured from surface depletion on a degree-day basis. A simple model relating the daily snowmelt to the product of wind speed and average positive daily air temperature, is presented and discussed. For Mount Lebanon, this model gave a better approximation of snowmelt than a simple degree-day model.     

Probabilities and return periods of multisite droughts/Probabilités et périodes de retour de sécheresses multi-sites

Abstract

Because droughts cover extensive areas, it is important to consider multisite droughts in a region. Probability distribution of joint droughts at a number of sites is derived assuming that flows are cross-correlated first-order Markov processes. A geometric distribution is found with a parameter that depends on the threshold probability, lag-one autocorrelation coefficients, and the multivariate probability of remaining below the threshold. Computation of the parameter of the geometric distribution is discussed. An expression is obtained for the return period of multisite droughts. Application of the derived expression is shown in an example.     

Coding random self-similar river networks and calculating geometric distances: 1. General methodology / Codage de réseaux hydrographiques auto-similaires aléatoires et calcul de distances géométriques: 1. Méthodologie générale

Abstract

This study proposes a preliminary method for coding random self-similar river networks as a series of numbers, and investigates the corresponding algorithm that calculates the geometric distances from the code series. The coding method, generating random self-similar patterns with various probabilities of particular pattern links, and transferring the pattern into numerical code series, is proposed, based on the wide range of stochastic characteristics of natural patterns. The heredity of self-similarity and the connecting relationships inside the generated pattern are discussed. Finally, the algorithm to calculate the geometric distances of the generated pattern are developed.     

Evaluation of temperature trends over India / Evaluation de tendances de température en Inde

Abstract

Abstract The impact of climate change is projected to have different effects within and between countries. Information about such change is required at global, regional and basin scales for a variety of purposes. An investigation was carried out to identify trends in temperature time series of 125 stations distributed over the whole of India. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test was applied to detect monotonic trends in annual average and seasonal temperatures. Three variables related to temperature, viz. mean, mean maximum and mean minimum, were considered for analysis on both an annual and a seasonal basis. Each year was divided into four principal seasons, viz. winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. The percentages of significant trends obtained for each parameter in the different seasons are presented. Temperature anomalies are plotted, and it is observed that annual mean temperature, mean maximum temperature and mean minimum temperature have increased at the rate of 0.42, 0.92 and 0.09°C (100 year)^-1, respectively. On a regional basis, stations of southern and western India show a rising trend of 1.06 and 0.36°C (100 year)^-1, respectively, while stations of the north Indian plains show a falling trend of –0.38°C (100 year)^-1. The seasonal mean temperature has increased by 0.94°C (100 year)^-1 for the post-monsoon season and by 1.1°C (100 year)^-1 for the winter season.     

Infiltration mechanisms in a herbaceous peat: results of a controlled infiltration experiment/Mécanismes d'infiltration dans une tourbière herbacée: résultats d'une expérience d'infiltration contrôlée

Abstract

The theoretical spatial distribution of hydraulic head during infiltration is used to interpret the results of infiltration experiments made in the field on a single, isolated, column of herbaceous peat in a flood-plain wetland in central England. Crusts of different hydraulic resistance were applied to the column surface. These regulated the water influx enabling the hydraulic conductivity of the peat to be estimated at between 1 and 19.5 m day^-1. It is inferred that, when the hydraulic gradient changes, water may follow different pathways through the peat. Water moves rapidly through macropores in proportion to the applied hydraulic gradient, and infiltrates the peat matrix from the macropore walls. The results indicate the significance of hydraulic conductivity variations with depth, and the importance of precipitation intensity.     

Modelling production of migratory catfish larvae (Pimelodidae) on the basis of regional hydro‐ climatology features of the Madre de Dios Basin in southeastern Peru

A simple stochastic model is presented to describe the influence of the natural flow regime of the Madre de Dios River (southeastern Peru) on the presence and downstream transportation of catfish larvae (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae), an important migratory species in commercial fisheries in the Peruvian Amazon region. One year of daily river stage records were related to weekly larval catches to determine the association between floods and spawning events, and based on the hydro‐climatologic characteristics of Andean‐Amazon regions, available long‐term historical rainfall records were used to determine the inter‐annual variability of floods within the Madre de Dios Basin. Major larval drift occurred during the high water season, specifically in association with stages of over 5 m, which served as an indicator triggering spawning responses of these species, termed a ‘biologically significant event’ (BSE). Timing of these BSEs, estimated from the historical rainfall records, described a uniform distribution during the wet season, and their inter‐arrival times were exponentially distributed. These observations provided the basis of the stochastic model describing the likelihood of larvae releases from this headwater region to the lowland Amazon. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.