From catchment to national scale rainfall-runoff modelling: demonstration of a hydrological modelling framework

Crooks, Susan M.; Kay, Alison L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5526-1756; Davies, Helen N.; Bell, Victoria A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0792-5650. 2014 From catchment to national scale rainfall-runoff modelling: demonstration of a hydrological modelling framework [in special issue: Hydrological modeling: beyond runoff calibration] Hydrology, 1 (1). 63-88. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology1010063

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Abstract/Summary

The increasing availability of digital databases (e.g. of climatology, topography, soils and land use) has enabled research into the generalisation of hydrological model parameter values from physical properties and the development of grid-based models. A hydrological modelling framework (HMF) is being developed to exploit this generalisation and provide a flexible gridded infrastructure, operational over regional, national or larger scales at a range of spatial and temporal resolutions. The capability of the framework is demonstrated through adaptation of an existing semi-distributed catchment-based rainfall-runoff model, CLASSIC, for which a generalised methodology exists to determine parameter values. The main change required was to ensure consistency of parameter values between the runoff procedure in CLASSIC and flow routing in the HMF. Assessment is by comparison of modelled and observed flow at grid points in Britain corresponding to gauging stations, both for catchments previously modelled and for new locations, for a range of catchment areas and physical properties and for four spatial resolutions (10, 5, 2.5 and 1 km). Good model performance is achieved for 90% of catchments tested, with a 5 km resolution proving adequate for catchments larger than 500 km2. Applications are outlined for which the framework could be used to test alternative modelling approaches or undertake consistent studies across the range of resolutions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology1010063
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Reynard
ISSN:	2306-5338
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - Official URL link provides full text
Additional Keywords:	rainfall-runoff, digital databases, generalised parameterisation, gridded flow routing, modelling framework, HOST soils
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	20 Aug 2014 11:24 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507944

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