Abstract
<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Spatially-distributed hydrology and land surface models are typically applied in combination with river routing schemes that convert instantaneous runoff into streamflow. Nevertheless, the development of such schemes has been somehow disconnected from hydrologic model calibration research, although both seek to achieve more realistic streamflow simulations. In this paper, we seek to bridge this gap to understand the extent to which the configuration of routing schemes affects hydrologic model calibration results in water resources applications. To this end, we configure the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model, coupled with the mizuRoute routing model in the Cautín River basin (2770 km<sup>2</sup>), Chile. We use the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method to generate 3500 different VIC model parameters sets, for which basin-averaged runoff estimates are obtained directly (no routing case), and subsequently compared against outputs from four routing schemes (Unit Hydrograph, Lagrangian Kinematic Wave, Muskingum-Cunge and Diffusive Wave) applied with five different routing time steps (1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours). The results show that incorporating routing schemes may alter streamflow simulations at sub-daily, daily and even monthly time scales. The maximum Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) obtained for daily streamflow increases from 0.73 (no routing) to 0.82 (for the best scheme), and such improvements do not depend on the routing time step. Moreover, the optimal parameter sets may differ depending on the routing scheme configuration, affecting the baseflow contribution to total runoff. Including routing models decreases streamflow values in frequency curves and lowers the segment with high discharge values in the flow duration curve (compared to the case without routing). More generally, the results presented here highlight the potential impacts of river routing implementations on water resources applications that involve hydrologic models and, in particular, parameter calibration.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
