Estimating cumulative catchment streamflow depletion from abstractions

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-1803 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Channa Rajanayaka ◽

Doug Booker ◽

Jing Yang

Keyword(s):

Cultural Values ◽

River Flow ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Low Flow ◽

Cumulative Impacts ◽

Stream Network ◽

Aquifer Parameters ◽

Spatially Distributed ◽

Streamflow Depletion ◽

Surface And Groundwater

<p>Abstraction from surface and groundwater bodies alters river flow regimes. The economic and social benefits of abstraction need to be balanced against their consequences for hydrology dependent ecological functions, ecosystem services, cultural values and recreation. However, impacts of an abstraction on flow regimes are often assessed in isolation and so cumulative impacts of many spatially distributed abstractions on the catchment are not understood. While spatially distributed, high-resolution model(s) (e.g. MODFLOW) can be developed to understand the cumulative impacts of abstractions, this is cost prohibitive and the demand for data is high (e.g., system properties, hydroclimatic) to develop such a model at regional scales and, further, such site specific models cannot be transferred to other spatial locations. We have developed a model to estimate cumulative streamflow depletion at given locations of a stream network resulting from both surface and groundwater abstractions. The surface water abstractions directly deplete the nearest river segment with which the abstraction is associated. However, depletion owing to each groundwater take, response times of which can extend to weeks, months or even years following the abstractions, was associated with all river segments which were within a 2 km radius of the groundwater take. The proportion of depletion from each river segment owing to a groundwater take is dependent on distance between well and segment, flow (based on the naturalised 7-day mean annual low flow) and length of the segment within 2 km radius of the well. Two aquifer parameters (transmissivity and storativity) are used for calculating the streamflow depletion. Field tests can be used to measure these parameters but observations are not available for all necessary locations. We used Random Forest statistical techniques to estimate the aquifer parameters at unmeasured locations. Results of the streamflow depletion model are displayed using an interactive application (app). The model can be used to obtain timeseries of cumulative stream depletion at any location in the river network from many spatially distributed abstractions.</p>

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Stability of River Flow Regimes

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.1992.0010 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 137-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

I. Krasovskaia ◽

L. Gottschalk

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Flow Regime ◽

Climate Models ◽

River Flow ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Low Flow ◽

Future Climate Change ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Economic Policies ◽

Temperature And Precipitation

One of the most important consequences of future climate change may be an alteration of the surface hydrological balance, including changes in flow regimes, i.e. seasonal distribution of flow and especially the time of occurrence of high/low flow, which is of vital importance for environmental and economic policies. Classification of flow regimes still has an important role for the analyses of hydrological response to climate change as well as for validating climate models on present climatic and hydrologic data, however, with some modifications in the methodology. In this paper an approach for flow regime classification is developed in this context. Different ways of flow regime classification are discussed. The stability of flow regimes is studied in relation to changes in mean annual temperature and precipitation. The analyses have shown that even rather small changes in these variables can cause changes in river flow regimes. Different patterns of response have been traced for different regions of the Nordic countries.

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A large-scale hydroclimatological perspective on western European river flow regimes

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.2012.201 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 809-833 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Donna Wilson ◽

David M. Hannah ◽

Glenn R. McGregor

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Western Europe ◽

River Flow ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Low Flow ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Time Variability ◽

Runoff Generation

A novel flow regime classification scheme was applied to 141 river basins across western Europe, providing more robust analysis of space–time variability in regimes and their driving hydroclimatological processes. Regime shape (timing) and magnitude (size) were classified to regionalise long-term average flow regimes and to quantify year-to-year variation in regimes for each basin. Six long-term regime shape regions identified differences in seasonality related to latitude and altitude. Five long-term magnitude regions were linked to location plus average annual rainfall. Spatial distribution of long-term regimes reflected dominant climate and runoff generation processes. Regions were used to structure analysis of (relative) inter-annual regime dynamics. Six shape and five magnitude inter-annual regimes were identified; and regime stability (switching) assessed at pan-European, regional and basin scales. In some years, certain regime types were more prevalent, but never totally dominant. Regime shape was more stable at higher altitude due to buffering by frozen water storage-release (cf. more variable rainfall-runoff at lower altitudes). The lower inter-annual magnitude regimes persisted across larger domains (cf. higher magnitude) due to the more widespread climatic conditions generating low flow. Notably, there was limited spatio-temporal correspondence between regime shape and magnitude, suggesting variations in one attribute cannot be used to infer the other.

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How will climate change modify river flow regimes in Europe?

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/hessd-9-9193-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 9193-9238 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. Schneider ◽

C. L. R. Laizé ◽

M. C. Acreman ◽

M. Flörke

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Mediterranean Climate ◽

River Flow ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Flow Characteristics ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Global Climate Models ◽

Low Flow ◽

Climate Zone ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract. Worldwide, flow regimes are being modified by various anthropogenic impacts and climate change induces an additional risk. Rising evapotranspiration rates, declining snow cover and changing precipitation patterns will interact differently at different locations. Consequently, in distinct climate zones, unequal consequences can be expected in matters of water stress, flood risk, water quality, and food security. In particular, river ecosystems and their vital ecosystem services will be compromised as their species richness and composition have evolved over long time under natural flow conditions. This study aims at evaluating the exclusive impacts of climate change on river flow regimes in Europe. Various flow characteristics are taken into consideration and diverse dynamics are identified for each distinct climate zone in Europe. In order to simulate natural and modified flow regimes, the global hydrology model WaterGAP3 is applied. All calculations for current and future conditions (2050s) are carried out on a 5' × 5' European grid. To address uncertainty, climate forcing data of three different global climate models are used to drive WaterGAP3. Finally, the hydrological alterations of different flow characteristics are quantified by the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration approach. Results of our analysis indicate that on European scale, climate change can be expected to modify flow regimes significantly. This is especially the case in the Mediterranean climate zone (due to drier conditions with reduced precipitation across the year) and in the continental climate zone (due to reduced snowmelt and drier summers). Regarding single flow characteristics, strongest impacts on timing were found for the boreal climate zone. This applies for both, high and low flows. While low flow magnitudes are likely to be stronger influenced in the Mediterranean climate, high flow magnitudes will be mainly altered in snow climates with warmer summers. At the end of this study, typical future flow regimes under climate change are illustrated for each climate zone including a validation on robustness.

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Sources of Chlorophenolic Compounds to the Fraser River Estuary

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1988.005 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 55-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

J. H. Carey ◽

J. H. Hart

Keyword(s):

River Flow ◽

River Estuary ◽

Low Flow ◽

Fraser River ◽

Pulp Mills ◽

Flow Conditions ◽

Downstream Site ◽

Upstream Site ◽

The North ◽

Main River

Abstract The identity and concentrations of chlorophenolic compounds in the Fraser River estuary were determined under conditions of high and low river flow at three sites: a site upstream from the trifurcation and at downstream sites for each main river arm. Major chlorophenolics present under both flow regimes were 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TeCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), tetrachloroguaiacol (TeCG) and a compound tentatively identified as 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol (3,4,5-TCG). Under high flow conditions, concentrations of the guaiacols were higher than any of the Chlorophenols and concentrations of all five chlorophenolics appeared to correlate. Under low flow conditions, concentrations of chloroguaiacols were higher than Chlorophenols at the upstream site and at the downstream site on the Main Arm, whereas at the downstream site on the North Arm, concentrations of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP were higher than the chloroguaiacols in some samples. Overall, the results indicate that pulp mills upstream from the estuary are important sources of chlorophenolics to the estuary under all flow conditions. Additional episodic inputs of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP from lumber mills occur along the North Arm. When these inputs occur, they can cause the concentrations of Chlorophenols in the North Arm to exceed provisional objectives. If chloroguaiacols are included as part of the objective, concentrations of total chlorophenolics in water entering the estuary can approach and exceed these objectives, especially under low flow conditions.

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Impact of Water Projects on River Flow Regimes and Water Quality in Huai River Basin

Water Resources Management ◽

10.1007/s11269-009-9477-3 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 889-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 112

Author(s):

Yongyong Zhang ◽

Jun Xia ◽

Tao Liang ◽

Quanxi Shao

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

River Basin ◽

River Flow ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Water Projects ◽

Huai River Basin ◽

Huai River

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The impacts of climate change on river flow regimes at the global scale

Journal of Hydrology ◽

10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.02.010 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 486 ◽

pp. 351-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 203

Author(s):

Nigel W. Arnell ◽

Simon N. Gosling

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

River Flow ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Global Scale ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

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How will climate change modify river flow regimes in Europe?

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-17-325-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 325-339 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

C. Schneider ◽

C. L. R. Laizé ◽

M. C. Acreman ◽

M. Flörke

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

River Flow ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Flow Characteristics ◽

Flow Regimes ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Climate Zone ◽

Natural Flow ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Boreal Climate

Abstract. Worldwide, flow regimes are being modified by various anthropogenic impacts and climate change induces an additional risk. Rising temperatures, declining snow cover and changing precipitation patterns will interact differently at different locations. Consequently, in distinct climate zones, unequal consequences can be expected in matters of water stress, flood risk, water quality, and food security. In particular, river ecosystems and their vital ecosystem services will be compromised as their species richness and composition have evolved over long time under natural flow conditions. This study aims at evaluating the exclusive impacts of climate change on river flow regimes in Europe. Various flow characteristics are taken into consideration and diverse dynamics are identified for each distinct climate zone in Europe. In order to simulate present-day natural flow regimes and future flow regimes under climate change, the global hydrology model WaterGAP3 is applied. All calculations for current and future conditions (2050s) are carried out on a 5' × 5' European grid. To address uncertainty, bias-corrected climate forcing data of three different global climate models are used to drive WaterGAP3. Finally, the hydrological alterations of different flow characteristics are quantified by the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration approach. Results of our analysis indicate that on the European scale, climate change can be expected to modify flow regimes remarkably. This is especially the case in the Mediterranean (due to drier conditions with reduced precipitation across the year) and in the boreal climate zone (due to reduced snowmelt, increased precipitation, and strong temperature rises). In the temperate climate zone, impacts increase from oceanic to continental. Regarding single flow characteristics, strongest impacts on timing were found for the boreal climate zone. This applies for both high and low flows. Flow magnitudes, in turn, will be predominantly altered in the Mediterranean but also in the Northern climates. At the end of this study, typical future flow regimes under climate change are illustrated for each climate zone.

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Seasonal streamflow forecasts in the Ahlergaarde catchment, Denmark: effect of preprocessing and postprocessing on skill and statistical consistency

10.5194/hess-2017-379 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Diana Lucatero ◽

Henrik Madsen ◽

Jens C. Refsgaard ◽

Jacob Kidmose ◽

Karsten H. Jensen

Keyword(s):

Hydrological Model ◽

Predictive Distribution ◽

Low Flow ◽

Model Errors ◽

Streamflow Prediction ◽

Initial State ◽

Lower Accuracy ◽

Spatially Distributed ◽

Streamflow Forecasts ◽

Statistical Consistency

Abstract. In the present study we analyze the effect of bias adjustments in both meteorological and streamflow forecasts on skill and reliability of monthly average streamflow and low flow forecasts. Both raw and pre-processed meteorological seasonal forecast from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) are used as inputs to a spatially distributed, coupled surface – subsurface hydrological model based on the MIKE SHE code in order to generate streamflow predictions up to seven months in advance. In addition to this, we postprocess streamflow predictions using an empirical quantile mapping that adjusts the predictive distribution in order to match the observed one. Bias, skill and statistical consistency are the qualities evaluated throughout the forecast generating strategies and we analyze where the different strategies fall short to improve them. ECMWF System 4-based streamflow forecasts tend to show a lower accuracy level than those generated with an ensemble of historical observations, a method commonly known as Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP). This is particularly true at longer lead times, for the dry season and for streamflow stations that exhibit low hydrological model errors. Biases in the mean are better removed by postprocessing that in turn is reflected in the higher level of statistical consistency. However, in general, the reduction of these biases is not enough to ensure a higher level of accuracy than the ESP forecasts. This is true for both monthly mean and minimum yearly streamflow forecasts. We highlight the importance of including a better estimation of the initial state of the catchment, which will increase the capability of the system to forecast streamflow at longer leads.

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A Long–Term Response-Based Rainfall-Runoff Hydrologic Model: Case Study of The Upper Blue Nile

Hydrology ◽

10.3390/hydrology6030069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 69 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eatemad Keshta ◽

Mohamed A. Gad ◽

Doaa Amin

Keyword(s):

River Flow ◽

Hydrologic Model ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Rainfall Runoff ◽

Time Step ◽

Data Set ◽

Blue Nile ◽

Catchment Areas ◽

Surface And Groundwater

This study develops a response-based hydrologic model for long-term (continuous) rainfall-runoff simulations over the catchment areas of big rivers. The model overcomes the typical difficulties in estimating infiltration and evapotranspiration parameters using a modified version of the Soil Conservation Service curve number SCS-CN method. In addition, the model simulates the surface and groundwater hydrograph components using the response unit-hydrograph approach instead of using a linear reservoir routing approach for routing surface and groundwater to the basin outlet. The unit-responses are Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-pre-calculated on a semi-distributed short-term basis and applied in the simulation in every time step. The unit responses are based on the time-area technique that can better simulate the real routing behavior of the basin. The model is less sensitive to groundwater infiltration parameters since groundwater is actually controlled by the surface component and not the opposite. For that reason, the model is called the SCHydro model (Surface Controlled Hydrologic model). The model is tested on the upper Blue Nile catchment area using 28 years daily river flow data set for calibration and validation. The results show that SCHydro model can simulate the long-term transforming behavior of the upper Blue Nile basin. Our initial assessment of the model indicates that the model is a promising tool for long-term river flow simulations, especially for long-term forecasting purposes due to its stability in performing the water balance.

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