Evaluation of the effects of underlying surface change on catchment hydrological response using the HEC-HMS model

L. Chang,J. Ding,D. An,C. Yao,Y. Zhang,Z. Li

doi:10.5194/piahs-364-145-2014

Abstract

Abstract. Due to rapid population growth, China, and urbanization, the Dongwan catchment, with a drainage area of 2856 km2 and located in Henan Province, has been subjected to considerable land-use changes since the 1990s. Distributed or semi-distributed models have been widely used in catchment hydrological modeling, along with the rapid development of computer and GIS technologies. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of underlying surface change on catchment hydrological response using the Hydrologic Engineering Center's Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS), which is a distributed hydrological model. Specifically, 21 flood events were selected for calibrating and validating the model parameters. The satisfactory results show that the HEC-HMS model can be used to simulate the rainfall–runoff response in the Dongwan catchment. In light of the analyses of simulation results, it is shown that the flood peaks and runoff yields after 1990 moderately decrease in comparison with that before 1990 at the same precipitation level. It is also indicated that the underlying surface change leads to the increased flood storage capacity after 1990 in this region.

Highlights

Landscape and water resource management are major challenges for the socio-economic development of upland catchments in China due to their association with downstream environmental impacts and water supply
The accuracy statistics for the Dongwan catchment during the period 1960–2000 are shown in
This paper presents the assessment of underlying surface change impacts on catchment hydrological response using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) model applied to the Dongwan catchment

Summary

Introduction

Landscape and water resource management are major challenges for the socio-economic development of upland catchments in China due to their association with downstream environmental impacts and water supply. Concerns about the impacts of changing patterns of land use associated with deforestation and agricultural transformation on water resources have created social and political tensions from local to national levels. Major concerns focus on consequences of land-use change for local and downstream hydrological hazards, for water supply and demand, and for biodiversity conservation (Thanapakpawin et al 2006). One of the primary factors that cause changes in water resources is the constant evolution in land use (Wijesekara et al 2012). Recent studies demonstrated the potential of an integrated modelling approach to evaluate the impact of land-use changes on water resources (Bithell and Brasington 2009)

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Results

Conclusion