An alternative approach in hydrograph decomposition and separation of the baseflow

Abstract

Abstract:The identification of the moment when direct flow ends and baseflow begins is one of the biggest challenges of hydrological cycle modeling. The objectives of this research were: to characterize the recession curves (RC) and to separate the components of the hydrograph in a compact model. The RC were extracted from time series in three subwatersheds in Mexico. An expo-linear model was adapted and fitted to the master recession curves to find the transition point of the hydrograph and separate the baseflow. The model discriminated the RC in two decreasing ratios: one linear associated to the direct flow, and one exponential linked to the baseflow. The transition point between these two flows was obtained analytically by equaling both ratios. The derivation of a model parameter allowed to find the maximum points in the hydrometric time series, which were the criterion to separate the baseflow. The application of this model is recommended in the analysis of RC with different magnitudes from the flexibility and attachment to the fundaments of exhaustion of a reservoir.

Runoff coefficient estimation for various catchment surfaces

“…thickness, saturation) and also climate can affect the form of the recession curve [38]. Aguilar et al [39] mentioned that the recession curve divided into the linear elements of surface, unsaturated and saturated flow traditionally. The elements have to show several flow paths in the basin.…”

Esquemas de recesión de la descarga de los manantiales kársticos observados en los acuíferos de carbonatos del Triásico de Eslovaquia

“…A single and unique MRC with the longest course and covering all documented water stages has to be gradually built-up (assembled) from its partial components. Different methods of assembling individual curves into a single MRC were gradually created, with various application possibilities and restrictions as well (Nathan andMcMahon 1990, Lamb andBeven 1997;Rutledge 1998;Posavec et al 2006Posavec et al , 2010. Gregor and Malík (2012) introduced the genetic algorithm optimization methodology to construct the MRC from hydrograph time series, supporting different typology of the data, which later became part of the HydroOffice RC 4.0 tool programme (Gregor and Malík 2016).…”