Baseflow Recession Research Articles

Base flow recession from unsaturated‐saturated porous media considering lateral unsaturated discharge and aquifer compressibility

AbstractUnsaturated flow is an important process in base flow recessions and its effect is rarely investigated. A mathematical model for a coupled unsaturated‐saturated flow in a horizontally unconfined aquifer with time‐dependent infiltrations is presented. The effects of the lateral discharge of the unsaturated zone and aquifer compressibility are specifically taken into consideration. Semianalytical solutions for hydraulic heads and discharges are derived using Laplace transform and Cosine transform. The solutions are compared with solutions of the linearized Boussinesq equation (LB solution) and the linearized Laplace equation (LL solution), respectively. A larger dimensionless constitutive exponent (a smaller retention capacity) of the unsaturated zone leads to a smaller discharge during the infiltration period and a larger discharge after the infiltration. The lateral discharge of the unsaturated zone is significant when , and becomes negligible when 100. The compressibility of the aquifer has a nonnegligible impact on the discharge at early times. For late times, the power index of the recession curve ∼ , is 1 and independent of , where Q is the base flow and a is a constant lumped aquifer parameter. For early times, is approximately equal to 3 but it approaches infinity when . The present solution is applied to synthetic and field cases. The present solution matched the synthetic data better than both the LL and LB solutions, with a minimum relative error of 16% for estimate of hydraulic conductivity. The present solution was applied to the observed streamflow discharge in Iowa, and the estimated values of the aquifer parameters were reasonable.

Quantitative Assessment of the Mechanisms of Earthquake-Induced Groundwater-Level Change in the MP Well, Three Gorges Area

Earthquake-induced groundwater-level changes have been widely studied, though the mechanisms causing coseismic responses are still debated. In this study, we employ several models to fit the coseismic groundwater-level changes caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in the MP well, located in the Three Gorges Dam. The fits for all models are about the same. By comparing the model results with the results from tidal response and baseflow recession analyses, we conclude that a transient permeability model can best describe the coseismic groundwater-level changes in the MP well. The discharge from the Changmutuo fault zone estimated from the one-dimensional groundwater flow model during the 20 days following the earthquake is about 310 ± 90 m3.

Baseflow recession analysis in a large shale play: Climate variability and anthropogenic alterations mask effects of hydraulic fracturing

Water resources development and landscape alteration exert marked impacts on water-cycle dynamics, including areas subjected to hydraulic fracturing (HF) for exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources found in shale or tight sandstones. Here we apply a conceptual framework for linking baseflow analysis to changes in water demands from different sectors (e.g. oil/gas extraction, irrigation, and municipal consumption) and climatic variability in the semiarid Eagle Ford play in Texas, USA. We hypothesize that, in water-limited regions, baseflow (Qb) changes are partly due (along with climate variability) to groundwater abstraction. For a more realistic assessment, the analysis was conducted in two different sets of unregulated catchments, located outside and inside the Eagle Ford play. Three periods were considered in the analysis related to HF activities: pre-development (1980–2000), moderate (2001–2008) and intensive (2009–2015) periods. Results indicate that in the Eagle Ford play region, temporal changes in baseflow cannot be directly related to the increase in hydraulic fracturing. Instead, substantial baseflow declines during the intensive period of hydraulic fracturing represent the aggregated effects from the combination of: (1) a historical exceptional drought during 2011–2012; (2) increased groundwater-based irrigation; and (3) an intensive hydraulic fracturing activity.

Analysis of hydrological variability over the Volta river basin using in-situ data and satellite observations

By combining satellite altimetry with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment derived terrestrial water storage-TWS (2002–2014), this study used a two-step procedure based on spherical harmonic synthesis and statistical decomposition to support the understanding of the Volta basin's natural hydrology and its freshwater systems. Results indicate that Lake Volta contributed 41.6% to the observed increase in TWS over the basin during the 2002–2014 period. The statistical decomposition of TWS over the basin (after removing the Lake's water storage) resulted in a statistically significant (α=0.05) loss of 59.5±8.5mm/yr of TWS in the lower Volta region of the basin between 2007 and 2011. This trend is attributed to a base flow recession resulting from the negative trends in precipitation around the lower Volta (2002–2014) and limited river flows of the Volta river system. While it also coincides with observed decline in net precipitation (−15mm/yr), the long dry periods in the basin (2001–2007) also contributed to this storage depletion. The Lake Volta shows sensitivity to incoming flows of the Volta river system with a lag spanning between less than one and up to two years. In addition to this, a 4–5 year cycle in the clustering of dry and wet periods resulting from the impact of climate variability on the basin was noticed.

Dynamic hyporheic and riparian flow path geometry through base flow recession in two headwater mountain stream corridors

AbstractThe hydrologic connectivity between streams and their valley bottoms (stream corridor) is a critical determinant of their ecological function. Ecological functions are known to be spatially and temporally variable, but spatial dimensions of the problem are not easily quantified and thus they are usually overlooked. To estimate the spatial patterns of connectivity, and how connectivity varies with changes in discharge, we developed the hyporheic potential model. We used the model to interpret a series of solute tracer injections in two headwater mountain streams with contrasting valley bottom morphologies to estimate connectivity in the stream corridor. The distributions of flow path origination locations and the lengths of hyporheic flow paths appear to vary with base flow recession, even in cases where transport timescales are apparently unchanged. The modeled distribution of origination locations further allowed us to define a spatial analog to the temporal window of detection associated with solute tracer studies, and enables assessment of connectivity dynamics between streams and their corridors. Altogether, the reduced complexity hyporheic potential model provides an easy way to anticipate the spatial distribution and origination locations of hyporheic flow paths from a basic understanding of the valley bottom characteristics and solute transport timescales.

Time-varying sensitivity analysis of hydrologic and sediment parameters at multiple timescales: Implications for conservation practices

Environmental models can be used to better understand the hydrologic and sediment behavior in a watershed system. However, different processes may dominate at different time periods and timescales, which highly complicate the model interpretation. The related parameter uncertainty may be significant and needs to be addressed to avoid bias in the watershed management. In this study, we used the time-varying and multi-timescale (TVMT) method to characterize the temporal dynamics of parameter sensitivity at different timescales in hydrologic and sediment modeling. As a case study, the first order sensitivity indices were estimated with the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) method for the Hydrological Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF) model in the Zhangjiachong catchment in the Three Gorge Reservoir Region (TGRR) in China. The results were compared to those of the traditional aggregate method to demonstrate the merits of the TVMT method. The time-varying nature of the hydrologic and sediment parameters was revealed and explained mainly by the variation of hydro-climatic conditions. The baseflow recession parameter, evapotranspiration (ET) parameter for the soil storage, and sediment washoff parameter showed high sensitivities almost across the whole period. However, parameters related to canopy interception and channel sediment scour varied notably over time due to changes in the climate forcing. The timescale-dependent characteristics was observed and was most evident for the baseflow recession parameter and ET parameter. At last, the parameters affecting the sediment export and transport were discussed together with the inferred conservation practices. Reasonable controls for sediment must be storm-dependent. Compared to management practices on the land surface, practices affecting channel process would be more effective during storm events. Our results present one of the first investigations for sediment modeling in terms of the importance of parameter sensitivity in both time periods and evaluation timescales for the model calibration, diagnostic evaluation, and prioritizing efforts for conservation practices.

Derivation of low flow frequency distributions under human activities and its implications

Low flow, refers to a minimum streamflow in dry seasons, is crucial to water supply, agricultural irrigation and navigation. Human activities, such as groundwater pumping, influence low flow severely. In order to derive the low flow frequency distribution functions under human activities, this study incorporates groundwater pumping and return flow as variables in the recession process. Steps are as follows: (1) the original low flow without human activities is assumed to follow a Pearson type three distribution, (2) the probability distribution of climatic dry spell periods is derived based on a base flow recession model, (3) the base flow recession model is updated under human activities, and (4) the low flow distribution under human activities is obtained based on the derived probability distribution of dry spell periods and the updated base flow recession model. Linear and nonlinear reservoir models are used to describe the base flow recession, respectively. The Wudinghe basin is chosen for the case study, with daily streamflow observations during 1958–2000. Results show that human activities change the location parameter of the low flow frequency curve for the linear reservoir model, while alter the frequency distribution function for the nonlinear one. It is indicated that alter the parameters of the low flow frequency distribution is not always feasible to tackle the changing environment.

KAJIAN KEBERLANJUTAN ALIRAN DASAR SUNGAI MELALUI ANALISIS KURVA RESESI HIDROGRAF PADA DAS KEDUANG KABUPATEN WONOGIRI PROVINSI JAWA TENGAH

The streamflow hydrograph recession curve notes that behavior of the relationship between the aquifer structure and dependencies with the groundwater outflow towards river basin channel. The recession behavior of river basin hydrographs will investigate to understand the hydrology processes of the river basin in the future. This research was conducted with the aim: to analyze the characteristics of the baseflow recession based on the parameters and coefficients of the recession, and the shape of the individual recession curve and the master recession curves both manually and through the processing of genetic algorithms using a linear reservoir model of hydrooffice software package recession curve (RC) 4.0.
 The results of the visualization of the recession curve shape of the watershed of the research shows there is a very interesting trend in the watershed storage process.The characteristics of the baseflow recession to research watershed with the recession curve slope describe the baseflow recession conditions, especially excellent water storage. The river basin of Keduang have the form of a relatively sloping recession curves, both individual and master recession curve with relatively high recession constant ranged between 0,80 – 0,90 have baseflow recession characteristic is excellent, i.e. the watershed water storage which is the higher volume of water storage.

The impact of wildfire on baseflow recession rates in California

AbstractThe effect of wildfire on peak streamflow and annual water yield has been investigated empirically in numerous studies. The effect of wildfire on baseflow recession rates, in contrast, is not well documented. The objective of this paper was to quantify the effect of wildfire on baseflow recession rates in California for both individual watersheds and for all the study watersheds collectively. Two additional variables, antecedent groundwater storage and potential evapotranspiration, were also investigated for their effect on baseflow recession rates and postfire baseflow recession rate response. Differences between prefire and postfire baseflow recession rates were modeled statistically in 8 watersheds using a mixed statistical model that accounted for fixed and random effects. For the all‐watershed model, antecedent groundwater storage, potential evapotranspiration, and wildfire were each found to be significant controls on baseflow recession rates. Wildfire decreased baseflow recession rates 52.5% (37.6% to 66.0%), implying that postfire reductions in above‐ground vegetation (e.g., decreased interception, decreased evapotranspiration) were a stronger control on baseflow recession rate change than hydrophobicity. At an individual watershed scale, baseflow recession rate response to wildfire was found to be sensitive to intraannual differences in antecedent groundwater storage in 2 watersheds, with the effect of wildfire on baseflow recession rates being greater with lower levels of antecedent groundwater storage. Examination of burn severity for a subset of the study watersheds pointed to riparian zone burn severity as a potential primary control on postfire recession rate change. This study demonstrates that wildfire may have a substantial impact on fluxes to and from groundwater storages, altering the rate at which baseflow recedes.

Baseflow recession characterization and groundwater storage trends in northern Taiwan

Abstract Groundwater is a critical component of the terrestrial water budget and acts as a relatively stable water source in Taiwan. In the present study, river basins' characterization and groundwater storage trends in northern Taiwan are analyzed using the Brutsaert method. As groundwater storage sustains baseflows in a water system during dry periods, it can be assessed directly from the streamflow record. The characteristic drainage time scale value, K, varied between 34 and 84 days, with a mean value of 54 days and a standard deviation of 16 days. From correlation analysis, K is strongly correlated with the main channel slope. Based on annual values of groundwater storage over the period of record, five subbasins showed downward trends, ranging from −0.053 to −0.950 mm/year, and three subbasins exhibited upward trends, ranging from 0.111 to 0.141 mm/year. During the period of 2000–2014, the groundwater storage trends in northern Taiwan had an obvious spatial distribution. River basins with significant negative trends (mean value of −2.729 mm/year) are located in the northeast part of the study area. In contrast, the subbasins in the northwest part all showed positive trends (mean value of 0.944 mm/year) in groundwater storage.

Variable water‐saturated areas and streamflow generation in the small Ringelbach catchment (Vosges Mountains, France): the master recession curve as an equilibrium curve for interactions between atmosphere, surface and ground waters

AbstractIn the small Ringelbach research catchment, where studies on the water cycle components in a granitic mountainous environment have been conducted since 1976, the water‐saturated areas that are hydraulically connected to the outlet play a major role in the streamflow generation, as it is here that complex interactions between atmosphere, surface and ground waters take place. During baseflow recession periods, which may last several months between two groundwater recharge events, the atmospheric inputs of water and energy on these contributing areas only explain the streamflow fluctuations observed around the master recession curve, which defines the groundwater contribution: fluctuating above it in the case of precipitation input on these areas, below it in the case of evaporation output from these areas. Streamflow may therefore largely deviate from the master recession curve in the case of long, hot, dry spells.Detailed mapping has shown that their variable extent is well related to baseflow by a loglinear curve. On the other hand, a synthetic master recession curve, well fitted by a second‐order hyperbolic function, has been obtained from numerous pure recession periods. Both based on these two curves, a simple procedure and a simple model have been used to (i) validate the hypothesis that the connected saturated areas are the only permanent variable contributing areas and (ii) simulate the daily streamflow volumes over long baseflow recession periods by a water balance of the aquifer below these areas only. The storm runoff ratio for small to moderate rainfall events is indeed corresponding to the catchment saturated fraction at that time. The volume of daily streamflow oscillations is indeed corresponding to the evaporation at the potential rate from the saturated areas only. In both cases, streamflow naturally tends towards the master recession curve after the end of any atmospheric perturbation. Introducing these findings into TOPMODEL led to significantly improved simulation results during baseflow recession periods.The master recession curve may therefore be considered as a dynamic equilibrium curve. Together with the relationship between saturated extent and baseflow, it provides the main characteristics necessary to understand and model the interactions at this complex interface and the resulting daily streamflow variations during baseflow recession periods in this type of catchment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Automating Recession Curve Displacement Recharge Estimation.

Recharge estimation is an important and challenging element of groundwater management and resource sustainability. Many recharge estimation methods have been developed with varying data requirements, applicable to different spatial and temporal scales. The variability and inherent uncertainty in recharge estimation motivates the recommended use of multiple methods to estimate and bound regional recharge estimates. Despite the inherent limitations of using daily gauged streamflow, recession curve displacement methods provide a convenient first-order estimate as part of a multimethod hierarchical approach to estimate watershed-scale annual recharge. The implementation of recession curve displacement recharge estimation in the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) RORA program relies on the subjective, operator-specific selection of baseflow recession events to estimate a gauge-specific recession index. This paper presents a parametric algorithm that objectively automates this tedious, subjective process, parameterizing and automating the implementation of recession curve displacement. Results using the algorithm reproduce regional estimates of groundwater recharge from the USGS Appalachian Valley and Piedmont Regional Aquifer-System Analysis, with an average absolute error of less than 2%. The algorithm facilitates consistent, completely automated estimation of annual recharge that complements more rigorous data-intensive techniques for recharge estimation.

Hydro-geo-chemical streamflow analysis as a support for digital hydrograph filtering in a small, rainfall dominated, sandstone watershed

Summary The aim of the present study is an analysis of the ability of digital hydrograph filtering tools for the characterization of the baseflow source contributing to total streamflow for a typical, small, sandstone, rainfall dominated catchment. Daily streamflow and electrical conductivity data for an experimental catchment, the Ciciriello catchment, a 3km2 watershed located in Southern Italy, have been collected to the purpose since 2012. The application of a mass balance filter (MBF), using electrical conductivity as tracer data, has pointed out a seasonal characterization of the baseflow pattern, contributing to total streamflow by 90% during the low flow period and up to 40% during the high flow period. The Lyne and Hollick one parameter and the two parameters Eckhardt digital filters have been furthermore processed, both in an uncalibrated and calibrated application. Providing a preliminary total streamflow and baseflow recession analysis, the one parameter filter appears particularly suited for ungauged cases, as the uncalibrated and calibrated applications are almost identical, with relative prediction errors, compared to MBF, smaller than 5%. The uncalibrated two parameters filter generates instead large relative error of about 35%. To improve the baseflow description, in particular during the low flow period, and to correct large (28%) underestimation of the minimum baseflow value, a seasonal calibration for the BFImax parameter (the maximum BaseFlow Index that can be modeled by the filter algorithm) is in fact needed.

Watershed model calibration to the base flow recession curve with and without evapotranspiration effects

AbstractCalibration of watershed models to the shape of the base flow recession curve is a way to capture the important relationship between groundwater discharge and subsurface water storage in a catchment. In some montane Mediterranean regions, such as the midelevation Providence Creek catchment in the southern Sierra Nevada of California (USA), nearly all base flow recession occurs after snowmelt, and during this time evapotranspiration (ET) usually exceeds base flow. We assess the accuracy to which watershed models can be calibrated to ET‐dominated base flow recession in Providence Creek, both in terms of fitting a discharge time‐series and realistically capturing the observed discharge‐storage relationship for the catchment. Model parameters estimated from calibrations to ET‐dominated recession are compared to parameters estimated from reference calibrations to base flow recession with ET‐effects removed (“potential recession”). We employ the Penn State Integrated Hydrologic Model (PIHM) for simulations of base flow and ET, and methods that are otherwise general in nature. In models calibrated to ET‐dominated recession, simulation errors in ET and the targeted relationship for recession (−dQ/dt versus Q) contribute substantially (up to 57% and 46%, respectively) to overestimates in the discharge‐storage differential, defined as d(lnQ)/dS, relative to that derived from water flux observations. These errors result in overestimates of deep‐subsurface hydraulic conductivity in models calibrated to ET‐dominated recession, by up to an order of magnitude, relative to reference calibrations to potential recession. These results illustrate a potential opportunity for improving model representation of discharge‐storage dynamics by calibrating to the shape of base flow recession after removing the complicating effects of ET.

Baseflow separation based on a meteorology-corrected nonlinear reservoir algorithm in a typical rainy agricultural watershed

Summary A baseflow separation model called meteorology-corrected nonlinear reservoir algorithm (MNRA) was developed by combining nonlinear reservoir algorithm with a meteorological regression model, in which the effects of meteorological factors on daily baseflow recession were fully expressed. Using MNRA and the monitored data of daily streamflow and meteorological factors (including precipitation, evaporation, wind speed, water vapor pressure and relative humidity) from 2003 to 2012, we determined the daily, monthly, and yearly variations in baseflow from ChangLe River watershed, a typical rainy agricultural watershed in eastern China. Results showed that the estimated annual baseflow of the ChangLe River watershed varied from 18.8 cm (2004) to 61.9 cm (2012) with an average of 35.7 cm, and the baseflow index (the ratio of baseflow to streamflow) varied from 0.58 (2007) to 0.74 (2003) with an average of 0.65. Comparative analysis of different methods showed that the meteorological regression statistical model was a better alternative to the Fourier fitted curve for daily recession parameter estimation. Thus, the reliability and accuracy of the baseflow separation was obviously improved by MNRA, i.e., the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency increased from 0.90 to 0.98. Compared with the Kalinin’s and Eckhardt’s recursive digital filter methods, the MNRA approach could usually be more sensitive for baseflow response to precipitation and obtained a higher goodness-of-fit for streamflow recession, especially in the area with high-level shallow groundwater and frequent rain.

Hydrogeomorphic controls on hyporheic and riparian transport in two headwater mountain streams during base flow recession

AbstractSolute transport along riparian and hyporheic flow paths is broadly expected to respond to dynamic hydrologic forcing by streams, aquifers, and hillslopes. However, direct observation of these dynamic responses is lacking, as is the relative control of geologic setting as a control on responses to dynamic hydrologic forcing. We conducted a series of four stream solute tracer injections through base flow recession in each of two watersheds with contrasting valley morphology in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, monitoring tracer concentrations in the stream and in a network of shallow riparian wells in each watershed. We found hyporheic mean arrival time, temporal variance, and fraction of stream water in the bedrock‐constrained valley bottom and near large roughness elements in the wider valley bottom were not variable with discharge, suggesting minimal control by hydrologic forcing. Conversely, we observed increases in mean arrival time and temporal variance and decreasing fraction stream water with decreasing discharge near the hillslopes in the wider valley bottom. This may indicate changes in stream discharge and valley bottom hydrology control transport in less constrained locations. We detail five hydrogeomorphic responses to base flow recession to explain observed spatial and temporal patterns in the interactions between streams and their valley bottoms. Models able to account for the transition from geologically dominated processes in the near‐stream subsurface to hydrologically dominated processes near the hillslope will be required to predict solute transport and fate in valley bottoms of headwater mountain streams.

Influences of Land Use Change on Baseflow in Mountainous Watersheds

It is crucial for effective water resource management in a watershed that the relationship between land use changes and baseflow. This study quantifies the influence of land use changes on the baseflow dynamics using a hydrological model and partial least-squares (PLS) regression in the Upper Du Watershed (8961 km2), China. Our study suggests that forest can be a major factor with a negative impact on the baseflow. Additionally, farmland and urban land have second-order negative effects on the baseflow dynamics. Baseflow increases when forest is replaced by farmland because the evapotranspiration (ET), associated with baseflow recession, is weaker and shorter in duration in the farmland than in the forest. The conversion of forest to urban land increases baseflow owing to the presence of non-contributing impervious surfaces in urban areas, which prevents the urban land from intercepting the baseflow discharge. These results indicate that the baseflow dynamics are closely associated with varying land use types within a watershed. Thus, this study is intended to provide a deeper understanding of the baseflow processes and useful quantitative information on land use factors in watersheds, enabling more informed decision-making in forest and watershed management.

Watershed-scale evaluation of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model in the Lake Tahoe basin

Forest managers need methods to evaluate the impacts of management at the watershed scale. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) has the ability to model disturbed forested hillslopes, but has difficulty addressing some of the critical processes that are important at a watershed scale, including baseflow and water yield. In order to apply WEPP to forested watersheds, we developed and assessed new approaches for simulating streamflow and sediment transport from large watersheds using WEPP. We created specific algorithms to spatially distribute soil, climate, and management input files for all the subwatersheds within the basin. The model enhancements were tested on five geologically and climatically diverse watersheds in the Lake Tahoe basin, USA. The model was run with minimal calibration to assess WEPP’s ability as a physically-based model to predict streamflow and sediment delivery. The performance of the model was examined against 17 years of observed snow water equivalent depth, streamflow, and sediment load data. Only region-wide baseflow recession parameters related to the geology of the basin were calibrated with observed streamflow data. Close agreement between simulated and observed snow water equivalent, streamflow, and the distribution of fine (<20 μm) and coarse (>20 μm) sediments was achieved at each of the major watersheds located in the high-precipitation regions of the basin. Sediment load was adequately simulated in the drier watersheds; however, annual streamflow was overestimated. With the exception of the drier eastern region, the model demonstrated no loss in accuracy when applied without calibration to multiple watersheds across Lake Tahoe basin demonstrating the utility of the model as a management tool in gauged and ungauged basins.

On the transition of base flow recession from early stage to late stage

This paper is focused on the transition of base flow recession from early stage to late stage. The volume flow rate that takes place when such a transition occurs is identified for each of the twenty-three recession events observed at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) in Georgia, USA, using a newly developed cumulative regression analysis method. Meanwhile, the flow at the watershed outlet, which was recorded when the discharge at the perennial stream head diminishes to zero, is identified for each recession event. As evidenced by a correlation coefficient of 0.90, these two characteristic flows are found to be highly correlated, suggesting a fundamental linkage between the transition of base flow recession from early stage to late stage and the drying up of ephemeral streams. During the early stage, the contraction of ephemeral streams largely controls the recession behavior, whereas in the late stage when perennial streams dominate the flowing streams, the contraction of flowing streams is minimal and groundwater hydraulics governs the recession behavior.

Global Maps of Streamflow Characteristics Based on Observations from Several Thousand Catchments*

AbstractStreamflow Q estimation in ungauged catchments is one of the greatest challenges facing hydrologists. Observed Q from 3000 to 4000 small-to-medium-sized catchments (10–10 000 km2) around the globe were used to train neural network ensembles to estimate Q characteristics based on climate and physiographic characteristics of the catchments. In total, 17 Q characteristics were selected, including mean annual Q, baseflow index, and a number of flow percentiles. Testing coefficients of determination for the estimation of the Q characteristics ranged from 0.55 for the baseflow recession constant to 0.93 for the Q timing. Overall, climate indices dominated among the predictors. Predictors related to soils and geology were relatively unimportant, perhaps because of their data quality. The trained neural network ensembles were subsequently applied spatially over the entire ice-free land surface, resulting in global maps of the Q characteristics (at 0.125° resolution). These maps possess several unique features: they represent observation-driven estimates, they are based on an unprecedentedly large set of catchments, and they have associated uncertainty estimates. The maps can be used for various hydrological applications, including the diagnosis of macroscale hydrological models. To demonstrate this, the produced maps were compared to equivalent maps derived from the simulated daily Q of four macroscale hydrological models, highlighting various opportunities for improvement in model Q behavior. The produced dataset is available online (http://water.jrc.ec.europa.eu/GSCD).