scholarly journals A methodology to estimate flow duration curves at partially ungauged basins

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 2043-2060
Author(s):  
Elena Ridolfi ◽  
Hemendra Kumar ◽  
András Bárdossy
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Target Time ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
A Site ◽  
Gauged Basins

Abstract. The flow duration curve (FDC) of streamflow at a specific site has a key role in the knowledge on the distribution and characteristics of streamflow at that site. The FDC gives information on the water regime, providing information to optimally manage the water resources of the river. In spite of its importance, because of the lack of streamflow gauging stations, the FDC construction can be a not straightforward task. In partially gauged basins, FDCs are usually built using regionalization among the other methods. In this paper we show that the FDC is not a characteristic of the basin only, but of both the basin and the weather. Different weather conditions lead to different FDCs for the same catchment. The differences can often be significant. Similarly, the FDC built at a site for a specific period cannot be used to retrieve the FDC at a different site for the same time window. In this paper, we propose a new methodology to estimate FDCs at partially gauged basins (i.e., target sites) using precipitation data gauged at another basin (i.e., donor site). The main idea is that it is possible to retrieve the FDC of a target period of time using the data gauged during a given donor time period for which data are available at both target and donor sites. To test the methodology, several donor and target time periods are analyzed and results are shown for different sites in the USA. The comparison between estimated and actually observed FDCs shows the reasonability of the approach, especially for intermediate percentiles.

scholarly journals A methodology to estimate flow duration curves at partially ungauged basins

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ridolfi ◽  
Hemendra Kumar ◽  
András Bárdossy
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Target Time ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Target Period ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
Set Up ◽  
A Site

Abstract. The Flow Duration Curve (FDC) set up at a specific site has a key role to the knowledge of the streamflow characteristic at that site. The FDC gives information on the water regime providing important information to optimally manage the water resources of the river. Spite of its importance, because of the lack of streamflow gauging stations, the FDC construction can be a not straightforward task. In ungauged or partially gauged catchments, FDCs are usually built using regionalization methods among the others. In this paper we show that the FDC is not a characteristic of the basin only, but of both the basin and the weather. Different weather conditions lead to different FDC for the same catchment. The differences can often be significant. Similarly, the FDC built at a site for a specific period of time cannot be used to retrieve the FDC at a different site for the same time window. In this paper we propose a new methodology to estimate FDCs at partially gauged basins (i.e., target sites) using discharge and precipitation data gauged at another catchment (i.e., reference catchment). The main idea is that it is possible to retrieve the FDC of a target period of time using the data gauged during a given reference time period for which data are available at both target and reference sites. To test the methodology, several reference and target time periods are analysed and results are shown for two different case study areas. The comparison between estimated and actually observed FDCs show the reasonability of the approach especially for intermediate percentiles.

Development of a regional model for hydropower potential in western Greece

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-449
Keyword(s):  
Regional Model ◽  
Flow Duration Curve ◽  
Drainage Basins ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Hydropower Potential ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
A Site ◽  
Northwestern Greece ◽  
Climatic Characteristics

A regional model was developed in the present study for the determination of the flow duration curve at ungaged catchments, in western and northwestern Greece, which is a hydrologically homogenous region. A flow duration curve indicates the water availability at a site and is important for the estimation of the hydropower potential. A flow duration curve was generated for each of seven available stations at different rivers and then the parameters of the flow duration curves were correlated with geomorphological and climatic characteristics of the drainage basins for the derivation of the equations of the regional model. The model was verified using three hold out stations, in which the error ranged from 0.3 to 1.1%.

scholarly journals Regional flow duration curves for ungauged sites in Sicily

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 7059-7078
Author(s):  
F. Viola ◽  
L. V. Noto ◽  
M. Cannarozzo ◽  
G. La Loggia
Keyword(s):  
Water Allocation ◽  
Water Quality Assessment ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Ungauged Sites ◽  
Regional Flow ◽  
Streamflow Data ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
Gauged Basins

Abstract. Flow duration curves are simple and powerful tools to deal with many hydrological and environmental problems related to water quality assessment, water-use assessment and water allocation. Unfortunately the scarcity of streamflow data enables the use of these instruments only for gauged basins. A regional model is developed here for estimating flow duration curves at ungauged basins in Sicily, Italy. Due to the complex ephemeral behaviour of the examined region, this study distinguishes dry periods, when flows are zero, from wet periods using a three parameters power law to describe the frequency distribution of flows. A large dataset of streamflows has been analysed and the parameters of flow duration curves have been derived for about fifty basins. Regional regression equations have been developed to derive flow duration curves starting from morphological basin characteristics.

scholarly journals Regional flow duration curves for ungauged sites in Sicily

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Viola ◽  
L. V. Noto ◽  
M. Cannarozzo ◽  
G. La Loggia
Keyword(s):  
Water Allocation ◽  
Water Quality Assessment ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Ungauged Sites ◽  
Regional Flow ◽  
Streamflow Data ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
Gauged Basins

Abstract. Flow duration curves are simple and powerful tools to deal with many hydrological and environmental problems related to water quality assessment, water-use assessment and water allocation. Unfortunately the scarcity of streamflow data enables the use of these instruments only for gauged basins. A regional model is developed here for estimating flow duration curves at ungauged basins in Sicily, Italy. Due to the complex ephemeral behavior of the examined region, this study distinguishes dry periods, when flows are zero, from wet periods using a three parameters power law to describe the frequency distribution of flows. A large dataset of streamflows has been analyzed and the parameters of flow duration curves have been derived for about fifty basins. Regional regression equations have been developed to derive flow duration curves starting from morphological basin characteristics.

A tes

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
IJE Manager
Keyword(s):  
Energy Supply ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
A Site ◽  
Selection Methodology

In the past century, fossil fuels have dominated energy supply in Indonesia. However, concerns over emissions are likely to change the future energy supply. As people become more conscious of environmental issues, alternatives for energy are sought to reduce the environmental impacts. These include renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, most RE sources like solar PV are not available continuously since they depend on weather conditions, in addition to geographical location. Bali has a stable and long sunny day with 12 hours of daylight throughout the year and an average insolation of 5.3 kWh/m2 per day. This study looks at the potential for on-grid solar PV to decarbonize energy in Bali. A site selection methodology using GIS is applied to measure solar PV potential. Firstly, the study investigates the boundaries related to environmental acceptability and economic objectives for land use in Bali. Secondly, the potential of solar energy is estimated by defining the suitable areas, given the technical assumptions of solar PV. Finally, the study extends the analysis to calculate the reduction in emissions when the calculated potential is installed. Some technical factors, such as tilting solar, and intermittency throughout the day, are outside the scope of this study. Based on this model, Bali has an annual electricity potential for 32-53 TWh from solar PV using amorphous thin-film silicon as the cheapest option. This potential amount to three times the electricity supply for the island in 2024 which is estimated at 10 TWh. Bali has an excessive potential to support its own electricity demand with renewables, however, some limitations exist with some trade-offs to realize the idea. These results aim to build a developmental vision of solar PV systems in Bali based on available land and the region’s irradiation.

Predicting annual and long-term flow-duration curves in ungauged basins

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 937-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attilio Castellarin ◽  
Giorgio Camorani ◽  
Armando Brath
Keyword(s):  
Ungauged Basins ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Flow Duration Curves

scholarly journals Exploring the physical controls of regional patterns of flow duration curves – Part 4: A synthesis of empirical analysis, process modeling and catchment classification

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 4483-4498 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yaeger ◽  
E. Coopersmith ◽  
S. Ye ◽  
L. Cheng ◽  
A. Viglione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Flow ◽  
Middle Portion ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Statistical Parameters ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Physical Controls ◽  
Flow Duration Curves

Abstract. The paper reports on a four-pronged study of the physical controls on regional patterns of the flow duration curve (FDC). This involved a comparative analysis of long-term continuous data from nearly 200 catchments around the US, encompassing a wide range of climates, geology, and ecology. The analysis was done from three different perspectives – statistical analysis, process-based modeling, and data-based classification – followed by a synthesis, which is the focus of this paper. Streamflow data were separated into fast and slow flow responses, and associated signatures, and both total flow and its components were analyzed to generate patterns. Regional patterns emerged in all aspects of the study. The mixed gamma distribution described well the shape of the FDC; regression analysis indicated that certain climate and catchment properties were first-order controls on the shape of the FDC. In order to understand the spatial patterns revealed by the statistical study, and guided by the hypothesis that the middle portion of the FDC is a function of the regime curve (RC, mean within-year variation of flow), we set out to classify these catchments, both empirically and through process-based modeling, in terms of their regime behavior. The classification analysis showed that climate seasonality and aridity, either directly (empirical classes) or through phenology (vegetation processes), were the dominant controls on the RC. Quantitative synthesis of these results determined that these classes were indeed related to the FDC through its slope and related statistical parameters. Qualitative synthesis revealed much diversity in the shapes of the FDCs even within each climate-based homogeneous class, especially in the low-flow tails, suggesting that catchment properties may have become the dominant controls. Thus, while the middle portion of the FDC contains the average response of the catchment, and is mainly controlled by climate, the tails of the FDC, notably the low-flow tails, are mainly controlled by catchment properties such as geology and soils. The regime behavior explains only part of the FDC; to gain a deeper understanding of the physical controls on the FDC, these extremes must be analyzed as well. Thus, to completely separate the climate controls from the catchment controls, the roles of catchment properties such as soils, geology, topography etc. must be explored in detail.

Annual flow duration curves assessment in ephemeral small basins

2014 ◽  
Vol 519 ◽  
pp. 258-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Pumo ◽  
F. Viola ◽  
G. La Loggia ◽  
L.V. Noto
Keyword(s):  
Flow Duration ◽  
Flow Duration Curves

scholarly journals Exploring the physical controls of regional patterns of flow duration curves – Part 1: Insights from statistical analyses

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 4435-4446 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Cheng ◽  
M. Yaeger ◽  
A. Viglione ◽  
E. Coopersmith ◽  
S. Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Distribution ◽  
Classical Method ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Flow Duration ◽  
Total Runoff ◽  
Time Symmetry ◽  
Physical Controls ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
Predictions In Ungauged Basins ◽  
Fast Flow

Abstract. The flow duration curve (FDC) is a classical method used to graphically represent the relationship between the frequency and magnitude of streamflow. In this sense it represents a compact signature of temporal runoff variability that can also be used to diagnose catchment rainfall-runoff responses, including similarity and differences between catchments. This paper is aimed at extracting regional patterns of the FDCs from observed daily flow data and elucidating the physical controls underlying these patterns, as a way to aid towards their regionalization and predictions in ungauged basins. The FDCs of total runoff (TFDC) using multi-decadal streamflow records for 197 catchments across the continental United States are separated into the FDCs of two runoff components, i.e., fast flow (FFDC) and slow flow (SFDC). In order to compactly display these regional patterns, the 3-parameter mixed gamma distribution is employed to characterize the shapes of the normalized FDCs (i.e., TFDC, FFDC and SFDC) over the entire data record. This is repeated to also characterize the between-year variability of "annual" FDCs for 8 representative catchments chosen across a climate gradient. Results show that the mixed gamma distribution can adequately capture the shapes of the FDCs and their variation between catchments and also between years. Comparison between the between-catchment and between-year variability of the FDCs revealed significant space-time symmetry. Possible relationships between the parameters of the fitted mixed gamma distribution and catchment climatic and physiographic characteristics are explored in order to decipher and point to the underlying physical controls. The baseflow index (a surrogate for the collective impact of geology, soils, topography and vegetation, as well as climate) is found to be the dominant control on the shapes of the normalized TFDC and SFDC, whereas the product of maximum daily precipitation and the fraction of non-rainy days was found to control the shape of the FFDC. These relationships, arising from the separation of total runoff into its two components, provide a potential physical basis for regionalization of FDCs, as well as providing a conceptual framework for developing deeper process-based understanding of the FDCs.

scholarly journals On the probability distribution of daily streamflow in the United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 3093-3103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalise G. Blum ◽  
Stacey A. Archfield ◽  
Richard M. Vogel
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Probability Distribution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Lognormal Distributions ◽  
Daily Streamflow ◽  
The Us ◽  
Flow Duration Curves ◽  
A Site ◽  
Physiographic Regions

Abstract. Daily streamflows are often represented by flow duration curves (FDCs), which illustrate the frequency with which flows are equaled or exceeded. FDCs have had broad applications across both operational and research hydrology for decades; however, modeling FDCs has proven elusive. Daily streamflow is a complex time series with flow values ranging over many orders of magnitude. The identification of a probability distribution that can approximate daily streamflow would improve understanding of the behavior of daily flows and the ability to estimate FDCs at ungaged river locations. Comparisons of modeled and empirical FDCs at nearly 400 unregulated, perennial streams illustrate that the four-parameter kappa distribution provides a very good representation of daily streamflow across the majority of physiographic regions in the conterminous United States (US). Further, for some regions of the US, the three-parameter generalized Pareto and lognormal distributions also provide a good approximation to FDCs. Similar results are found for the period of record FDCs, representing the long-term hydrologic regime at a site, and median annual FDCs, representing the behavior of flows in a typical year.

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