scholarly journals Stochastic semi-continuous simulation for extreme flood estimation in catchments with combined rainfall–snowmelt flood regimes

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1283-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lawrence ◽  
E. Paquet ◽  
J. Gailhard ◽  
A. K. Fleig
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Probabilistic Model ◽  
Extreme Precipitation ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Continuous Simulation ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Flood Estimation

Abstract. Simulation methods for extreme flood estimation represent an important complement to statistical flood frequency analysis because a spectrum of catchment conditions potentially leading to extreme flows can be assessed. In this paper, stochastic, semi-continuous simulation is used to estimate extreme floods in three catchments located in Norway, all of which are characterised by flood regimes in which snowmelt often has a significant role. The simulations are based on SCHADEX, which couples a precipitation probabilistic model with a hydrological simulation such that an exhaustive set of catchment conditions and responses is simulated. The precipitation probabilistic model is conditioned by regional weather patterns, and a bottom–up classification procedure was used to define a set of weather patterns producing extreme precipitation in Norway. SCHADEX estimates for the 1000-year (Q1000) discharge are compared with those of several standard methods, including event-based and long-term simulations which use a single extreme precipitation sequence as input to a hydrological model, statistical flood frequency analysis based on the annual maximum series, and the GRADEX method. The comparison suggests that the combination of a precipitation probabilistic model with a long-term simulation of catchment conditions, including snowmelt, produces estimates for given return periods which are more in line with those based on statistical flood frequency analysis, as compared with the standard simulation methods, in two of the catchments. In the third case, the SCHADEX method gives higher estimates than statistical flood frequency analysis and further suggests that the seasonality of the most likely Q1000 events differs from that of the annual maximum flows. The semi-continuous stochastic simulation method highlights the importance of considering the joint probability of extreme precipitation, snowmelt rates and catchment saturation states when assigning return periods to floods estimated by precipitation-runoff methods. The SCHADEX methodology, as applied here, is dependent on observed discharge data for calibration of a hydrological model, and further study to extend its application to ungauged catchments would significantly enhance its versatility.

scholarly journals Stochastic semi-continuous simulation for extreme flood estimation in catchments with combined rainfall-snowmelt flood regimes

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 6785-6828 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lawrence ◽  
E. Paquet ◽  
J. Gailhard ◽  
A. K. Fleig
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Probabilistic Model ◽  
Extreme Precipitation ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Continuous Simulation ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Flood Estimation

Abstract. Simulation methods for extreme flood estimation represent an important complement to statistical flood frequency analysis because a spectrum of catchment conditions potentially leading to extreme flows can be assessed. In this paper, stochastic, semi-continuous simulation is used to estimate extreme floods in three catchments located in Norway, all of which are characterised by flood regimes in which snowmelt often has a significant role. The simulations are based on SCHADEX, which couples a precipitation probabilistic model with a hydrological simulation such that an exhaustive set of catchment conditions and responses are simulated. The precipitation probabilistic model is conditioned by regional weather patterns, and a "bottom-up" classification procedure was used for defining a set of weather patterns producing extreme precipitation in Norway. SCHADEX estimates for the 1000 yr (Q1000) discharge are compared with those of several standard methods, including event-based and long-term simulations which use a single extreme precipitation sequence as input to a hydrological model, with statistical flood frequency analysis based on the annual maximum series, and with the GRADEX method. The comparison suggests that the combination of a precipitation probabilistic model with a long-term simulation of catchment conditions, including snowmelt, produces estimates for given return periods which are more in line with those based on statistical flood frequency analysis, as compared with the standard simulation methods, in two of the catchments. In the third case, the SCHADEX method gives higher estimates than statistical flood frequency analysis and further suggests that the seasonality of the most likely Q1000 events differs from that of the annual maximum flows. The semi-continuous stochastic simulation method highlights the importance of considering the joint probability of extreme precipitation, snowmelt rates and catchment saturation states when assigning return periods to floods estimated by precipitation-runoff methods. The SCHADEX methodology, as applied here, is dependent on observed discharge data for calibration of a hydrological model, and further study to extend its application to ungauged catchments would significantly enhance its versatility.

May long-term historical hydrological data be misleading for flood frequency analysis in current conditions of climate change?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Fedorova ◽  
Nataliia Nesterova ◽  
Olga Makarieva ◽  
Andrey Shikhov
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Irkutsk Region ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
The Town

<p>In June 2019, the extreme flash flood was formed on the rivers of the Irkutsk region originating from the East Sayan mountains. This flood became the most hazardous one in the region in 80 years history of observations.</p><p>The greatest rise in water level was recorded at the Iya River in the town of Tulun (more than 9 m in three days). The recorded water level was more than 5 m above the dangerous mark of 850 cm and more than 2.5 m above the historical maximum water level which was observed in 1984.</p><p>The flood led to the catastrophic inundation of the town of Tulun, 25 people died and 8 went missing. According to preliminary assessment, economic damage from the flood in 2019 amounted up to half a billion Euro.</p><p>Among the reasons for the extreme flood in June 2019 that are discussed are heavy rains as a result of climate change, melting of snow and glaciers in the mountains of the East Sayan, deforestation of river basins due to clearings and fires, etc.</p><p>The aim of the study was to analyze the factors that led to the formation of a catastrophic flood in June 2019, as well as estimate the maximum discharge of at the Iya River. For calculations, the deterministic distributed hydrological model Hydrograph was applied. We used the observed data of meteorological stations and the forecast values ​​of the global weather forecast model ICON. The estimated discharge has exceeded previously observed one by about 50%.</p><p>The results of the study have shown that recent flood damage was caused mainly by unprepared infrastructure. The safety dam which was built in the town of Tulun just ten years ago was 2 meters lower than maximum observed water level in 2019. This case and many other cases in Russia suggest that the flood frequency analysis of even long-term historical data may mislead design engineers to significantly underestimate the probability and magnitude of flash floods. There are the evidences of observed precipitation regime transformations which directly contribute to the formation of dangerous hydrological phenomena. The details of the study for the Irkutsk region will be presented.</p>

scholarly journals Design flood estimation with varying record lengths in Norway under stationarity and nonstationarity scenarios

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Yan ◽  
Lihua Xiong ◽  
Gusong Ruan ◽  
Chong-Yu Xu ◽  
Mengjie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Location Parameter ◽  
Extreme Value ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Design Flood ◽  
Generalized Extreme Value ◽  
Record Length ◽  
Flood Estimation ◽  
The Stability

Abstract In traditional flood frequency analysis, a minimum of 30 observations is required to guarantee the accuracy of design results with an allowable uncertainty; however, there has not been a recommendation for the requirement on the length of data in NFFA (nonstationary flood frequency analysis). Therefore, this study has been carried out with three aims: (i) to evaluate the predictive capabilities of nonstationary (NS) and stationary (ST) models with varying flood record lengths; (ii) to examine the impacts of flood record lengths on the NS and ST design floods and associated uncertainties; and (iii) to recommend the probable requirements of flood record length in NFFA. To achieve these objectives, 20 stations with record length longer than 100 years in Norway were selected and investigated by using both GEV (generalized extreme value)-ST and GEV-NS models with linearly varying location parameter (denoted by GEV-NS0). The results indicate that the fitting quality and predictive capabilities of GEV-NS0 outperform those of GEV-ST models when record length is approximately larger than 60 years for most stations, and the stability of the GEV-ST and GEV-NS0 is improved as record lengths increase. Therefore, a minimum of 60 years of flood observations is recommended for NFFA for the selected basins in Norway.

scholarly journals A stochastic event-based approach for flood estimation in catchments with mixed rainfall and snowmelt flood regimes

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriya Filipova ◽  
Deborah Lawrence ◽  
Thomas Skaugen
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Return Level ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Design Storm ◽  
Snowmelt Flood ◽  
Flood Estimation ◽  
Flood Peaks ◽  
Event Based

Abstract. The estimation of extreme floods is associated with high uncertainty, in part due to the limited length of streamflow records. Traditionally, statistical flood frequency analysis and an event-based model (PQRUT) using a single design storm have been applied in Norway. We here propose a stochastic PQRUT model, as an extension of the standard application of the event-based PQRUT model, by considering different combinations of initial conditions, rainfall and snowmelt, from which a distribution of flood peaks can be constructed. The stochastic PQRUT was applied for 20 small- and medium-sized catchments in Norway and the results give good fits to observed peak-over-threshold (POT) series. A sensitivity analysis of the method indicates (a) that the soil saturation level is less important than the rainfall input and the parameters of the PQRUT model for flood peaks with return periods higher than 100 years and (b) that excluding the snow routine can change the seasonality of the flood peaks. Estimates for the 100- and 1000-year return level based on the stochastic PQRUT model are compared with results for (a) statistical frequency analysis and (b) a standard implementation of the event-based PQRUT method. The differences in flood estimates between the stochastic PQRUT and the statistical flood frequency analysis are within 50 % in most catchments. However, the differences between the stochastic PQRUT and the standard implementation of the PQRUT model are much higher, especially in catchments with a snowmelt flood regime.

Handling non-stationary flood frequency analysis using TL-moments approach for estimation parameter

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 966-979
Author(s):  
Nur Amalina Mat Jan ◽  
Ani Shabri ◽  
Ruhaidah Samsudin
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Moment Method ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Moments Method ◽  
Flood Estimation ◽  
L Moments ◽  
Flood Quantiles ◽  
Quantile Estimates

Abstract Non-stationary flood frequency analysis (NFFA) plays an important role in addressing the issue of the stationary assumption (independent and identically distributed flood series) that is no longer valid in infrastructure-designed methods. This confirms the necessity of developing new statistical models in order to identify the change of probability functions over time and obtain a consistent flood estimation method in NFFA. The method of Trimmed L-moments (TL-moments) with time covariate is confronted with the L-moment method for the stationary and non-stationary generalized extreme value (GEV) models. The aims of the study are to investigate the behavior of the proposed TL-moments method in the presence of NFFA and applying the method along with GEV distribution. Comparisons of the methods are made by Monte Carlo simulations and bootstrap-based method. The simulation study showed the better performance of most levels of TL-moments method, which is TL(η,0), (η = 2, 3, 4) than the L-moment method for all models (GEV1, GEV2, and GEV3). The TL-moment method provides more efficient quantile estimates than other methods in flood quantiles estimated at higher return periods. Thus, the TL-moments method can produce better estimation results since the L-moment eliminates lowest value and gives more weight to the largest value which provides important information.

scholarly journals Modeling the spatial dependence of floods using the Fisher copula

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela I. Brunner ◽  
Reinhard Furrer ◽  
Anne-Catherine Favre
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Spatial Dependence ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Flood Event ◽  
Dependence Structure ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Extreme Flood

Abstract. Floods often affect not only a single location, but also a whole region. Flood frequency analysis should therefore be undertaken at a regional scale which requires the considerations of the dependence of events at different locations. This dependence is often neglected even though its consideration is essential to derive reliable flood estimates. A model used in regional multivariate frequency analysis should ideally consider the dependence of events at multiple sites which might show dependence in the lower and/or upper tail of the distribution. We here seek to propose a simple model that on the one hand considers this dependence with respect to the network structure of the region and on the other hand allows for the simulation of stochastic event sets at both gauged and ungauged locations. The new Fisher copula model is used for representing the spatial dependence of flood events in the nested Thur catchment in Switzerland. Flood event samples generated for the gauged stations using the Fisher copula are compared to samples generated by other dependence models allowing for modeling of multivariate data including elliptical copulas, R-vine copulas, and max-stable models. The comparison of the dependence structures of the generated samples shows that the Fisher copula is a suitable model for capturing the spatial dependence in the data. We therefore use the copula in a way such that it can be used in an interpolation context to simulate event sets comprising gauged and ungauged locations. The spatial event sets generated using the Fisher copula well capture the general dependence structure in the data and the upper tail dependence, which is of particular interest when looking at extreme flood events and when extrapolating to higher return periods. The Fisher copula was for a medium-sized catchment found to be a suitable model for the stochastic simulation of flood event sets at multiple gauged and ungauged locations.

TL-Moments Approach: Application of non-Stationary GEV Model in Flood Frequency Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Amalina Mat Jan ◽  
Ani Shabri ◽  
Muhammad Fadhil Marsani ◽  
Basri Badyalina
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Trend Test ◽  
Stationary Model ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Consistent Performance ◽  
Adf Test ◽  
Stationary Behaviour

Abstract The non-stationarity in hydrological records is a significant concerning area of interest within the field of flood risk management. Ignoring the non-stationary behaviour in flood series will result in a substantial bias in floods quantile. Hence, the non-stationary flood frequency analysis appeared to be an appropriate option to maintain the independent and identically distributed (IID) assumptions in sample observation. This paper utilized the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution to analyze extreme flood series. The time-varying moment technique, namely the L-moment and TL-moment methods are employed to estimate the non-stationary model (GEV 1, GEV 2, and GEV 3) in the flood series. The ADF test, Mann-Kendall trend test, and Spearman’s Rho test showed that two out of ten streamflow stations in Johor, Malaysia demonstrated a non-stationary behaviour in the annual maximum streamflow. Results from the simulation study demonstrate a consistent performance on the non-stationary model. Furthermore, the TL-moments method could efficiently predict the flood event estimated at quantiles of the higher return periods.

scholarly journals A data-based comparison of flood frequency analysis methods used in France

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kochanek ◽  
B. Renard ◽  
P. Arnaud ◽  
Y. Aubert ◽  
M. Lang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Gumbel Distribution ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Local Version ◽  
Simulation Approach ◽  
Ungauged Catchments ◽  
Gev Distribution ◽  
Continuous Simulation ◽  
Regional Estimation

Abstract. Flood frequency analysis (FFA) aims at estimating quantiles with large return periods for an extreme discharge variable. Many FFA implementations are used in operational practice in France. These implementations range from the estimation of a pre-specified distribution to continuous simulation approaches using a rainfall simulator coupled with a rainfall–runoff model. This diversity of approaches raises questions regarding the limits of each implementation and calls for a nation-wide comparison of their predictive performances. This paper presents the results of a national comparison of the main FFA implementations used in France. More accurately, eight implementations are considered, corresponding to the local, regional and local-regional estimation of Gumbel and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distributions, as well as the local and regional versions of a continuous simulation approach. A data-based comparison framework is applied to these eight competitors to evaluate their predictive performances in terms of reliability and stability, using daily flow data from more than 1000 gauging stations in France. Results from this comparative exercise suggest that two implementations dominate their competitors in terms of predictive performances, namely the local version of the continuous simulation approach and the local-regional estimation of a GEV distribution. More specific conclusions include the following: (i) the Gumbel distribution is not suitable for Mediterranean catchments, since this distribution demonstrably leads to an underestimation of flood quantiles; (ii) the local estimation of a GEV distribution is not recommended, because the difficulty in estimating the shape parameter results in frequent predictive failures; (iii) all the purely regional implementations evaluated in this study displayed a quite poor reliability, suggesting that prediction in completely ungauged catchments remains a challenge.

scholarly journals An Application of a Stochastic Semi-Continuous Simulation Method for Flood Frequency Analysis: A Case Study in Slovakia

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-44
Author(s):  
Peter Valent ◽  
Emmanuel Paquet
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Method ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Frequency Analysis ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Return Periods ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Continuous Simulation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Rainfall Runoff Model

Abstract A reliable estimate of extreme flood characteristics has always been an active topic in hydrological research. Over the decades a large number of approaches and their modifications have been proposed and used, with various methods utilizing continuous simulation of catchment runoff, being the subject of the most intensive research in the last decade. In this paper a new and promising stochastic semi-continuous method is used to estimate extreme discharges in two mountainous Slovak catchments of the rivers Váh and Hron, in which snow-melt processes need to be taken into account. The SCHADEX method used, couples a precipitation probabilistic model with a rainfall-runoff model used to both continuously simulate catchment hydrological conditions and to transform generated synthetic rainfall events into corresponding discharges. The stochastic nature of the method means that a wide range of synthetic rainfall events were simulated on various historical catchment conditions, taking into account not only the saturation of soil, but also the amount of snow accumulated in the catchment. The results showed that the SCHADEX extreme discharge estimates with return periods of up to 100 years were comparable to those estimated by statistical approaches. In addition, two reconstructed historical floods with corresponding return periods of 100 and 1000 years were compared to the SCHADEX estimates. The results confirmed the usability of the method for estimating design discharges with a recurrence interval of more than 100 years and its applicability in Slovak conditions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document