Journal ArticleDOI
A Comparison of Rainfall-Runoff Modeling Techniques on Small Upland Catchments
Keith Loague,R. Allan Freeze +1 more
TLDR
In this article, a set of model performance calculations for three event-based rainfall-runoff models on three data sets involving 269 events from small upland catchments are reported.Abstract:
This paper reports a set of model performance calculations for three event-based rainfall-runoff models on three data sets involving 269 events from small upland catchments. The models include a regression model, a unit hydrograph model, and a quasi-physically based model. The catchments are from the Washita River Experimental Watershed, Oklahoma; the Mahantango Creek Experimental Watershed, Pennsylvania; and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Model performance was assessed for a verification period that is carefully distinguished from the calibration period. Performance assessment was carried out both in forecasting mode and in prediction mode. The results show surprisingly poor forecasting efficiencies for all models on all data sets. The unit hydrograph model and the quasi-physically based model have little forecasting power; the regression model is marginally better. The performance of the models in prediction mode is better. The regression model and the unit hydrograph model showed acceptable predictive power, but the quasi-physically based model produced acceptable predictions on only one of the three catchments. We believe that the primary barrier to the successful application of physically based models in the field lies in the scale problems that are associated with the unmeasurable spatial variability of rainfall and soil hydraulic properties. The fact that simpler, less data intensive models provided as good or better predictions than a physically based model is food for thought.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
An introduction to the European Hydrological System — Systeme Hydrologique Europeen, “SHE”, 1: History and philosophy of a physically-based, distributed modelling system
TL;DR: The SHE system as discussed by the authors is a physically-based, distributed, catchment modelling system developed by the Danish Hydraulic Institute, the British Institute of Hydrology and SOGREAH with the financial support of the Commission of the European Communities.
Journal ArticleDOI
Changing ideas in hydrology — The case of physically-based models
TL;DR: This paper argues that there are fundamental problems in the application of physically-based models for practical prediction in hydrology result from limitations of the model equations relative to a heterogeneous reality; the lack of a theory of subgrid scale integration; practical constraints on solution methodologies; and problems of dimensionality in parameter calibration.
Journal ArticleDOI
Improvement of a parsimonious model for streamflow simulation
TL;DR: The GR4J model as discussed by the authors is a daily lumped rainfall-runoff model which is the result of a continuous improvement process over the last 15 years, and it provides the mathematical formulation of a new four-parameter version of the model.
Journal ArticleDOI
Prophecy, reality and uncertainty in distributed hydrological modelling
TL;DR: It is suggested that a post-modernistic hydrology will recognise the uncertainties inherent in hydrological modelling and will focus attention on the value of data in conditioninghydrological prophecies.
Journal ArticleDOI
How much complexity is warranted in a rainfall-runoff model?
Anthony Jakeman,G. M. Hornberger +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, time series techniques are applied for estimating transfer functions to determine how many parameters are appropriate to describe the relationship between precipitation and streamflow in the case where data on only precipitation, air temperature, and stream flow are available.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
River flow forecasting through conceptual models part I — A discussion of principles☆
J.E. Nash,J.V. Sutcliffe +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, the principles governing the application of the conceptual model technique to river flow forecasting are discussed and the necessity for a systematic approach to the development and testing of the model is explained and some preliminary ideas suggested.
Journal ArticleDOI
Kriging in the hydrosciences
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a series of case-studies in automatic contouring, data input for numerical models, estimation of average precipitation over a given catchment area, and measurement network design.
Journal ArticleDOI
Role of Organic Debris Dams in Regulating the Export of Dissolved and Particulate Matter from a Forested Watershed
Robert E. Bilby,Robert E. Bilby +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, an experimental approach was used in which all organic debris dams were re- moved from a 175m section of second-order stream, just above a gauging weir, to examine the relative importance of these structures in retention of sediment and organic matter in a small stream ecosystem.
Journal ArticleDOI
Rapid field measurement of air entry value and hydraulic conductivity of soil as significant parameters in flow system analysis
TL;DR: In this paper, a covered cylinder infiltrometer equipped with a standpipe and vacuum gage is used to measure air entry value and hydraulic conductivity of soil, and the resulting data are used to construct step functions relating hydraulic conductivities to (negative) soil water pressure for sorption and desorption.
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River flow forecasting through conceptual models part I — A discussion of principles☆
J.E. Nash,J.V. Sutcliffe +1 more
How much complexity is warranted in a rainfall-runoff model?
Anthony Jakeman,G. M. Hornberger +1 more