Development of a one-parameter variable source area runoff model for ungauged basins

• Published in: Advances in water resources Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 572 - 584
• Main Authors: Pradhan, Nawa Raj, Ogden, Fred L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Basins; Catchments; Dynamics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Mathematical models; Modeling; Rivers; Runoff; Saturation excess; Soil moisture; Spatial distribution; Towns; Ungauged basin; Variable source area; Australia; Asia; Indian Peninsula; Nepal; Variable source area; Saturation excess; Ungauged basin; Soil moisture; Modeling; rivers; models; rainfall; soil moisture; Australasia; simulation; runoff; remote sensing; spatial distribution; saturation; drainage basins; water resources; prediction; calibration; storms
• ISSN: 0309-1708; 1872-9657
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2010.03.002

This research develops a one-parameter model of saturated source area dynamics and the spatial distribution of soil moisture. The single required parameter is the maximum soil moisture deficit within the catchment. The concept behind the development of the model comes from the fact that the complexity of topographically-driven runoff generation can be reduced through the use of geomorphological scaling relations. The scaling formulation allows the prediction of the dynamics of saturated source areas as a function of basin-wide soil moisture state. This model offers a number of potential advantages. Firstly, the model parameter is independent of topographic index distribution and its associated scale effects. Secondly, it may be possible to measure this single parameter using field measurements or perhaps remote sensing, which gives the model significant potential for application in ungauged basins. Finally, the fact that this parameter is a physical characteristic of the basin, estimation of this parameter avoids regionalization and parameter transferability problems. The model is tested using rainfall–runoff data from the 10.4 ha experimental catchment known as Tarrawara in Australia, the 37 km 2 Town Creek catchment in U.S.A., and the 620 km 2 Balaphi and the 850 km 2 Likhu sub-catchments of the Koshi river in Nepal. In sub-catchments of Koshi river, the simulation results compare favorably against the calibrated TOPMODEL both in terms of direct runoff and the spatial distribution of soil moisture state. In the Tarrawara and Town Brook catchments, simulation results compare favorably against observed storm runoff using all observed data, without calibration.