Distributed hydrological modelling using spatiotemporally varying velocities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantina Risva ◽  
Dionysios Nikolopoulos ◽  
Andreas Efstratiadis
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
River Network ◽  
Distributed Hydrological Model ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Flood Simulation ◽  
Soil Moisture Accounting ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Event Based

<p>We present a distributed hydrological model with minimal calibration requirements, which represents the rainfall-runoff transformation and the flow routing processes. The generation of surface runoff is based on a modified NRCS-CN scheme. Key novelty is the use of representative CN values, which are initially assigned to model cells on the basis of slope, land cover and permeability maps, and adjusted to antecedent soil moisture conditions. For the propagation of runoff to the basin outlet two flow types are considered, i.e. overland flow across the terrain and channel flow along the river network. These are synthesized by employing a novel velocity-based approach, where the assignment of velocities along the river network is based on macroscopic hydraulic information. It also uses the concept of varying time of concentration, which is considered function of the average runoff intensity across the catchment. This configuration is suitable for event-based flood simulation and requires the specification of only two lumped inputs, which are either manually estimated or inferred through calibration. The model can also run in continuous mode, by employing a soil moisture accounting scheme that produces both the surface (overland) runoff and the interflow through the unsaturated zone. The two model configurations are demonstrated in the representation of observed flows across Nedontas river basin at South Peloponnese, Greece.</p>

scholarly journals Impacts of Antecedent Soil moisture on the Rainfall–Runoff Transformation Process Based on High-Resolution Observations in Soil Tank Experiments

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Song ◽  
Wen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Hysteretic Behavior ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Moisture Index ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Subsurface Runoff ◽  
The Impact

An experimental soil tank (12 m long × 1.5 m wide × 1.5m deep) equipped with a spatially distributed instrument network was designed to conduct the artificial rainfall–runoff experiments. Soil moisture (SM), precipitation, surface runoff (SR) and subsurface runoff (SSR) were continuously monitored. A total of 32 rainfall–runoff events were analyzed to investigate the non-linear patterns of rainfall–runoff response and estimate the impact of antecedent soil moisture (ASM) on runoff formation. Results suggested that ASM had a significant impact on runoff at this plot scale, and a moisture threshold-like value which was close to field capacity existed in the relationship between soil water content and event-based runoff coefficient (φe), SSR and SSR/SR. A non-linear relationship between antecedent soil moisture index (ASI) that represented the initial storage capacity of the soil tank and total runoff was also observed. Response times of SR and SM to rainfall showed a marked variability under different conditions. Under wet conditions, SM at 10 cm started to increase prior to SR on average, whereas it responds slower than SR under dry conditions due to the effect of water repellency. The predominant contributor to SR generation for all events is the Hortonian overland flow (HOF). There is a hysteretic behavior between subsurface runoff flow and soil moisture with a switch in the hysteretic loop direction based on the wetness conditions prior to the event.

scholarly journals Characterisation of Hydrological Response to Rainfall at Multi Spatio-Temporal Scales in Savannas of Semi-Arid Australia

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Jarihani ◽  
Roy C. Sidle ◽  
Rebecca Bartley ◽  
Christian H. Roth ◽  
Scott Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture

Rainfall is the main driver of hydrological processes in dryland environments and characterising the rainfall variability and processes of runoff generation are critical for understanding ecosystem function of catchments. Using remote sensing and in situ data sets, we assess the spatial and temporal variability of the rainfall, rainfall-runoff response, and effects of antecedent soil moisture and ground cover at different spatial scales on runoff coefficients in the Upper Burdekin catchment, northeast Australia, which is a major contributor of sediment and nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef. The high temporal and spatial variability of rainfall exerts significant controls on runoff generation processes. Rainfall amount and intensity are the primary runoff controls, and runoff coefficients for wet antecedent conditions were higher than for dry conditions. The majority of runoff occurred via surface runoff generation mechanisms, with subsurface runoff likely contributing little runoff due to the intense nature of rainfall events. At annual to seasonal temporal scales and for relatively large catchments, we could not detect a significant effect of ground cover on runoff. We conclude that in the range of moderate to large catchments (193 – 36,260 km2) runoff generation processes are sensitive to both antecedent soil moisture and ground cover. A higher runoff-ground cover correlation in drier months with sparse ground cover highlighted the critical role of cover at the onset of the wet season and how runoff generation is more sensitive to cover in drier months than in wetter months. The monthly water balance analysis indicates that runoff generation in wetter months (January and February) is partially influenced by saturation overland flow, most likely confined to saturated soils in riparian corridors, swales, and areas of shallow soil. By March and continuing through October, the soil ‘bucket’ progressively empties by evapotranspiration, and Hortonian overland flow becomes the dominant, if not exclusive, flow generation process. The results of this study can be used to better understand the rainfall-runoff relationships in dryland environments and subsequent exposure of coral reef ecosystems in Australia and elsewhere to terrestrial runoff.

scholarly journals Multiple runoff processes and multiple thresholds control agricultural runoff generation

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 4525-4545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabnam Saffarpour ◽  
Andrew W. Western ◽  
Russell Adams ◽  
Jeffrey J. McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
Hydrologic Response ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Major Ion ◽  
Multiple Thresholds

Abstract. Thresholds and hydrologic connectivity associated with runoff processes are a critical concept for understanding catchment hydrologic response at the event timescale. To date, most attention has focused on single runoff response types, and the role of multiple thresholds and flow path connectivities has not been made explicit. Here we first summarise existing knowledge on the interplay between thresholds, connectivity and runoff processes at the hillslope–small catchment scale into a single figure and use it in examining how runoff response and the catchment threshold response to rainfall affect a suite of runoff generation mechanisms in a small agricultural catchment. A 1.37 ha catchment in the Lang Lang River catchment, Victoria, Australia, was instrumented and hourly data of rainfall, runoff, shallow groundwater level and isotope water samples were collected. The rainfall, runoff and antecedent soil moisture data together with water levels at several shallow piezometers are used to identify runoff processes in the study site. We use isotope and major ion results to further support the findings of the hydrometric data. We analyse 60 rainfall events that produced 38 runoff events over two runoff seasons. Our results show that the catchment hydrologic response was typically controlled by the Antecedent Soil Moisture Index and rainfall characteristics. There was a strong seasonal effect in the antecedent moisture conditions that led to marked seasonal-scale changes in runoff response. Analysis of shallow well data revealed that streamflows early in the runoff season were dominated primarily by saturation excess overland flow from the riparian area. As the runoff season progressed, the catchment soil water storage increased and the hillslopes connected to the riparian area. The hillslopes transferred a significant amount of water to the riparian zone during and following events. Then, during a particularly wet period, this connectivity to the riparian zone, and ultimately to the stream, persisted between events for a period of 1 month. These findings are supported by isotope results which showed the dominance of pre-event water, together with significant contributions of event water early (rising limb and peak) in the event hydrograph. Based on a combination of various hydrometric analyses and some isotope and major ion data, we conclude that event runoff at this site is typically a combination of subsurface event flow and saturation excess overland flow. However, during high intensity rainfall events, flashy catchment flow was observed even though the soil moisture threshold for activation of subsurface flow was not exceeded. We hypothesise that this was due to the activation of infiltration excess overland flow and/or fast lateral flow through preferential pathways on the hillslope and saturation overland flow from the riparian zone.

Assessment of initial soil moisture conditions for event-based rainfall–runoff modelling

2010 ◽  
Vol 387 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 176-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Tramblay ◽  
Christophe Bouvier ◽  
Claude Martin ◽  
Jean-François Didon-Lescot ◽  
Dragana Todorovik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Initial Soil Moisture ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Event Based

The influence of antecedent soil moisture conditions on the rainfall–runoff threshold value of a roaded catchment used for water harvesting

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208
Author(s):  
C. W. Baek ◽  
N. Coles
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Condition ◽  
Soil Moisture Condition ◽  
Antecedent Moisture ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
The Relationship

A roaded catchment (RC) is a representative type of artificial catchment for rainwater harvesting. The rainfall–runoff threshold value of the RC is the main factor which influences the system efficiency and cost. Antecedent soil moisture condition is an important factor which impacts on the determination of the rainfall–runoff threshold value. In this study, rainfall–antecedent soil moisture condition–runoff relationships and the potential efficiency of RCs are presented. Rainfall and runoff data monitored at research sites in Merredin and Mount Barker are used to determine this relationship. Two antecedent moisture criteria; Antecedent Moisture Conditions (AMC) and Average Antecedent Precipitation (AAP) are used to analyse the relationship between previous rainfall and soil moisture for each RC. Monitored results show that AMC is not that suitable to show the relationship between rainfall and antecedent soil moisture condition of the RC in the dryland of Western Australia and it is recommended to use AAP to determine this relationship.

Dominant drivers of runoff in a slash-and-burn affected catchment in upland Eastern Madagascar

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob W. Zwartendijk ◽  
H.J. (Ilja) van Meerveld ◽  
Ryan J. Teuling ◽  
Chandra P. Ghimire ◽  
L. Adrian Bruijnzeel
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Forest Loss ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Valley Bottom ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Slash And Burn ◽  
Slash And Burn Agriculture

<p>In many tropical areas slash-and-burn agriculture is an important driver of forest loss. In areas where slash-and-burn agriculture has been practiced for decades, land cover is typically a mosaic of patches of remnant forest, fields under active cultivation, fallows in various stages of regrowth (ranging from young shrub to semi-mature), and degraded fire-climax grasslands. Although runoff generation mechanisms are expected to be different for these different patches, little quantitative information is available in this regard, particularly at the catchment scale and over longer time-scales (i.e., multiple slash-and-burn cycles).</p><p>We re-instrumented a 31 ha catchment in upland Eastern Madagascar, where slash-and-burn agriculture has been practiced for more than 70 years in 2015; it had been monitored between 1963 and 1972 as well<sup>1</sup>. We measured streamflow at two locations and overland flow and soil moisture for four hillside plots (0.05 – 1.93 ha): one plot under repeatedly coppiced and burned <em>Eucalyptus</em> and three plots under young shrub and tree fallows. One of the plots underwent rudimentary terracing in the past. We analysed the rainfall-runoff dynamics for 50 rainfall events (median 12 mm, maximum 71 mm).</p><p>For 60% of the events, the stormflow coefficient (minimum contributing area) was <3%, which is the proportion of valley-bottom wetlands and rice paddies in the catchment. Stable isotope sampling for five storm runoff events indicate a maximum total event-water contribution of 16%. However, instantaneous event-water contributions were as high as 66%. The hillside plot runoff response was dominated by saturation-excess overland flow and showed strong threshold behaviour in terms of the antecedent soil moisture storage in the upper 30 cm of the soil plus the event total rainfall amount (ASI + P). Average threshold values for overland flow occurrence ranged from 87 mm for the coppiced <em>Eucalyptus</em> to 137 mm for the young fallow plots (regardless of terrace presence). Stormflow also increased after an ASI+P-threshold was exceeded (100 mm based on the soil moisture sensors for the <em>Eucalyptus</em> plot and 150 mm for the sensors at the tree fallow plots).</p><p>These results indicate an increased hydrological connectivity between hillslopes and valley bottom under wetter conditions and that stormflow in the study catchment is strongly affected by variations in seasonal rainfall. The results will be used to validate a hydrological model to determine the net effect of concurrent changes in soil infiltrability and vegetation water use associated with forest loss and recovery on stormflow totals and the seasonal flow regime.</p><p><strong><sup>1</sup></strong>Bailly, C., de Coignac, G.B., Malvos, C., Ningre, J.M., and Sarrailh, J.M. (1974). Étude de l'influence du couvert naturel et de ses modifications á Madagascar. Expérimentations en bassins versants élémentaires. Cahiers Scientifiques, 4. Centre Scientifique Forestier Tropical, Nogent-sur-Marne, France, 114 pp.</p>

Multidimensional context for extreme analysis of daily streamflow, rainfall and accumulated rainfall across USA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Nezi ◽  
Ioannis Tsoukalas ◽  
Charalampos Ntigkakis ◽  
Andreas Efstratiadis
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Daily Rainfall ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Event Analysis ◽  
Antecedent Soil Moisture ◽  
Daily Streamflow ◽  
Accumulated Rainfall ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Parameter Values

<p>Statistical analysis of rainfall and runoff extremes plays a crucial role in hydrological design and flood risk management. Usually this analysis is performed separately for the two processes of interest, thus ignoring their dependencies, which appear at multiple temporal scales. Actually, the generation of a flood strongly depends on soil moisture conditions, which in turn depends on past rainfall. Using daily rainfall and runoff data from about 400 catchments in USA, retrieved from the MOPEX repository, we investigate the statistical behavior of the corresponding annual rainfall and streamflow maxima, also accounting for the influence of antecedent soil moisture conditions. The latter are quantified by means of accumulated daily rainfall at various aggregation scales (i.e., from 5 up to 30 days) before each extreme rainfall and streamflow event. Analysis of maxima is employed by fitting the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution, using the L-moments method for extracting the associated parameters (shape, scale, location). Significant attention is paid for ensuring statistically consistent estimations of the shape parameter, which is empirically adjusted in order to minimize the influence of sample uncertainty. Finally, we seek for the possible correlations among the derived parameter values and hydroclimatic characteristics of the studied basins, and also depict their spatial distribution across USA.</p>

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