Development of simple semi-distributed approaches for modelling complex rainfall–runoff process

Abstract

ABSTRACT The semi-distributed approaches proposed in the past for simulating rainfall–runoff (RR) still require extensive hydro-meteorological data for their complex calibration process. Therefore, research efforts are needed to develop novel and innovative semi-distributed RR models that require a minimum amount of data and effort. In this study, four semi-distributed RR models are proposed using a simple lumped model in a distributed sense by gradually enforcing spatial distribution in terms of hydro-meteorological and physiographical features in a basin. Only rainfall, runoff, and temperature data from three contrasting basins were employed in developing the proposed models. The results show that semi-distributed models performed better than the lumped model, and the accuracy increased with gradual enforcement of the spatial variations in various data. Further, the results suggest that incorporation of the basin’s physiographic features is the most important aspect in developing efficient semi-distributed RR models followed by hydrological and climatic information in a basin.