Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study was evaluated the influence of the rainfall monitoring network density and distribution on the result of rainfall-runoff daily simulations of a lumped model (IPH II) considering basins with different drainage scales: Turvo River (1,540 km2), Ijuí River (9,462 km2), Jacuí River (38,700 km2) and Upper Uruguay (61,900 km2). For this purpose, four rain gauge coverage scenarios were developed: (I) 100%; (II) 75%; (III) 50% and (IV) 25% of the rain gauges of the basin. Additionally, a scenario considering the absence of monitoring was evaluated, in which the rainfall used in the modeling was estimated based on the TRMM satellite. Was verified that, in some situations, the modeling produced better results for scenarios with a lower rain gauges density if the available gauges presented better spatial distribution. Comparatively to the simulations performed with the rainfall estimated by the TRMM, the results obtained using rain gauges’ data were better, even in scenarios with low rain gauges density. However, when the poor spatial distribution of the rain gauges was associated with low density, the satellite’s estimation provided better results. Thus, was conclude that spatial distribution of the rain gauge network is important in the rainfall representation and that estimates obtained by the TRMM can be presented as alternatives for basins with a deficient monitoring network.
Highlights
Hydrological modeling is an important tool for water resources planning and management
Flow simulated by the IPH II rainfall-runoff model (BRAVO et al, 2006) for different scenarios varying rain gauge’s density and spatial distribution and precipitation estimates of TRMM 3B42 satellite product was compared against observed flow in each basin
Influence of density and spatial distribution of rain gauges on rainfall estimation The rainfall time series estimated for the scenarios with rain gauges data (% Scen) and TRMM satellite information (TRMM Scen) were compared against the real rainfall time series (Real Scen), defined as reference
Summary
Hydrological modeling is an important tool for water resources planning and management. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including the understanding of water dynamics, design of hydraulic structures, environmental management and analysis of climatic and human impacts on water resources, among others (FENG et al, 2018; LOPES et al, 2017; VIANA et al, 2018). Several data sources may introduce uncertainties in modeling results, precipitation is undoubtedly one of the main sources. Incorrect precipitation characterization could be associated with errors in flow and water level simulations, as it is one of the main inputs for hydrological models (JIMÉNEZ; COLLISCHONN, 2015; NIKOLOPOULOS; ANAGNOSTOU; BORGA, 2013; FENSTERSEIFER; ALLASIA; PAZ, 2016). The correct quantification of the precipitation is challenging due to its peculiar characteristics of occurrence, such as high spatial and temporal variability
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