Analytic Method to Derive Wetland Stage-Storage Relationships Using GIS Areas

Abstract

The relationship between the depression area (A) , volume (V) , and depth of water (h) for wetlands, ponds, and lakes is often required for model studies. Area-depth (A-h) and volume-depth (V-h) relationships for wetlands, ponds, and lakes, which are important inputs to hydrologic models can be developed from detailed surveys and/or bathymetric maps that are costly and labor intensive to produce, or the use of simple geometric models. An analytical approach is introduced to describe wetland stage-storage (V-h) relationships using a single shape parameter, simple geometric data available from geographic information system coverages or field studies, and a power-function model. The dimensionless shape parameter defines the wetland prismatic conic shape, and together with the reference wetland pool area and associated maximum pool depth defines the V-h relationship to a high degree of accuracy. Shape parameters were developed for 42 wetlands to generate V-h relationships for each wetland. The study findings ...