Flash floods in Mediterranean ephemeral streams in Valencia Region (Spain)

Abstract

Summary Ephemeral streams are typical Mediterranean fluvial systems with high risk of flash flooding, and few data are available about these systems in most locales. However, the SAIH network (Automatic Hydrological Information Systems) of the Jucar River Water Authority has been providing detailed information about ephemeral streams in Spain every 5 min since 1988. Using these data, we evaluated the processes of rainfall–runoff conversion and flood generation in five Mediterranean ephemeral streams ranging in size from 25 to 450 km 2 . To provide a general framework for hydrological analysis, the study included 142 flash flood events registered between 1989 and 2007. A more detailed analysis was conducted for the Carraixet Basin under the dry antecedent moisture condition (AMC I) to evaluate the influence of rainfall on the basin’s response. A simple index called Momentum of Maximum Intensity (MMI) was developed to describe the influence of rainfall intensity on hydrograph. Correlations between the main indicators of precipitation and flow also were assessed. Results showed that flash floods were generally generated by average accumulated rainfall of around 100 mm at high intensities that could exceed 300 mm/h. Initial abstractions and average water losses during the rainfall–runoff conversion processes were very important (runoff coefficients of 6% and runoff thresholds of 62 mm). No correlation was found between initial abstractions ( I a ) calculated from the basin characteristics and runoff thresholds ( P 0 ) empirically obtained, which create some doubts about the validity of I a method for predicting floods in ephemeral streams. Accumulated rainfall was very important for flood volume, peak flow and water balance indicators, whereas intensity indicators were more related to the response times of the basins. Rainfall intensity variables influenced lag time. Accumulated rainfall, in combination with high reduced mean intensity and low persistence, were a good predictor for high peak flow. Finally, the analysis revealed two types of events. The first type, typical of summer and early autumn, consists of fast events characterized by intense rainfall concentrated at the beginning of the storm and high values of persistence and irregularity. The basin responds quickly and generates hydrographs that resemble the pattern of rain. The second type, representative of winter and spring, corresponds to less intense events. Although they accumulate more rain, maximum intensities are lower and occur at the end of the episode. The response of the basin is late, and hydrographs are quite different from hyetographs and very influenced by the basin.