Abstract
Based on daily flows recorded in the period 1971–2010, the synchronous occurrence of the annual (AMAXq), winter (WMAXq), and summer (SMAXq) maximum specific runoffs in 39 sub-catchments of the Warta River catchment (WRC) in Poland was analyzed. First, trends in the flows were detected using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall (M-K) test. Then, the degree of the synchronous and asynchronous occurrences of the maximum specific runoffs (MAXq) in respective sub-catchments in relation to the Gorzów Wielkopolski gauge closing the WRC was calculated. Finally, the reasons for the detected spatial and temporal differences were discussed. The study revealed a noticeable variability of the analyzed parameters. The highest synchronicity of AMAXq and WMAXq in relation to the closing Gorzów Wielkopolski gauge was revealed in the man-made Kościański and Mosiński canals and in the sub-catchments of the Noteć, Wełna, and lower Prosna rivers. While compared to AMAXq and WMAXq, the summer maxima showed relatively lower degrees of synchronicity, an increase in the synchronous occurrence of SMAXq in the southern part of WRC, and a decrease in its central part were identified. It was concluded that the stronger synchronicity of WMAXq resulted from the nival regime of the investigated rivers. Consequently, the annual maxima were most often associated with the winter half-year. The detected differences of synchronicity of the annual and seasonal runoffs are conditioned by climate, more specifically by the course of winter and resulting from it snow cover thickness, and also the amount and intensity of rainfall in summer.
Highlights
Hydrological analyses often search for determining relations and dependencies between hydrological, climatic, and physiographic parameters of a catchment and measuring the strength of the identified relationships
The detected differences of synchronicity of the annual and seasonal runoffs are conditioned by climate, by the course of winter and resulting from it snow cover thickness, and the amount and intensity of rainfall in summer
It was applied among others to assess the climate change-induced modification of potential evaporation and runoff sensitivity in the Yellow River Basin in
Summary
Hydrological analyses often search for determining relations and dependencies between hydrological, climatic, and physiographic parameters of a catchment and measuring the strength of the identified relationships. In recent years, such studies have gained increasing attention, due to the advancing climate change, and the more frequently observed variations of the hydrological cycle. Budyko [1,2] proposed a model allowing detecting relations between climate, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Some researchers [5,6,7] pointed to its limitations, such as the mutual independence of precipitation, evaporation, and evapotranspiration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
