Effect of Rainfall Variability on the Hydrological Behavior of Urban Basins: A Simulation Study Based on Weather Radar Data

Morena, Floriane; Andrieu, Hervé; Rodríguez, Fabrice; Creutin, Jean‐Dominique

doi:10.1061/40644(2002)230

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In such cases, taking rainfall distribution into account requires the development of radar imaging tools (Morena et al, 2001;Krajewski & Smith, 2002). Morin et al (1995) showed how, on small Israeli catchments, the spatial and temporal variability of rainfall obtained from radar data can generate significant differences in runoff modelling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity of hydrological models to uncertainty in rainfall input

Arnaud¹,

Lavabre²,

Fouchier³

et al. 2011

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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Different approaches used in hydrological modelling are compared in terms of the way each one takes the rainfall data into account. We examine the errors associated with accounting for rainfall variability, whether in hydrological modelling (distributed vs lumped models) or in computing catchment rainfall, as well as the impact of each approach on the representativeness of the parameters it uses. The database consists of 1859 rainfall events, distributed on 500 basins, located in the southeast of France with areas ranging from 6.2 to 2851 km 2 . The study uses as reference the hydrographs computed by a distributed hydrological model from radar rainfall. This allows us to compare and to test the effects of various simplifications to the process when taking rainfall information (complete rain field vs sampled rainfall) and rainfall-runoff modelling (lumped vs distributed) into account. The results appear to show that, in general, the sampling effect can lead to errors in discharge at the outlet that are as great as, or even greater than, those one would get with a fully lumped approach. We found that small catchments are more sensitive to the uncertainties in catchment rainfall input generated by sampling rainfall data as seen through a raingauge network. Conversely, the larger catchments are more sensitive to uncertainties generated when the spatial variability of rainfall events is not taken into account. These uncertainties can be compensated for relatively easily by recalibrating the parameters of the hydrological model, although such recalibrations cause the parameter in question to completely lose physical meaning.Key words rainfall distribution; radar rainfall; raingauge network; lumped modelling; distributed modelling; uncertainty Sensibilité des modèles hydrologiques aux incertitudes dues à l'information pluviométrique utiliséeRésumé Cette étude compare différentes approches utilisées en modélisation hydrologique, chaque approche étant différenciée par sa manière de prendre en compte l'information pluviométrique. Nous regardons les erreurs liées à la prise en compte de la variabilité spatiale de la pluie, à travers la modélisation hydrologique (modèles globaux ou distribués) ou à travers le calcul de la pluie de bassin. Nous regardons aussi l'impact de chaque approche sur la représentativité des paramètres qui lui sont associés. Ce travail porte sur 1859 événements pluvieux répartis sur 500 bassins versants situés dans le sud-est de la France, dans une gamme de surface allant de 6.2 à 2851 km 2 . On définit comme étant les hydrogrammes de référence, les crues modélisées par un modèle hydrologique distribué à partir de champs de pluies issus de radars météorologiques. Cela nous permet de travailler de façon relative, et de tester l'effet de différentes simplifications dans la prise en compte des processus, lors de la prise en compte de la pluie (champs de pluie complet ou échantillonnage de la pluie) et/ou lors de la modélisation hydrologique (globale ou distribuée). Les résultats montrent globale...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity of hydrological models to uncertainty in rainfall input

Arnaud¹,

Lavabre²,

Fouchier³

et al. 2011

Hydrological Sciences Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…If the rainfall field can be measured on an urban catchment (i.e. with radar data), then the spatial variability in rainfall may be introduced into the URBS-UH method without changing the underlying principles (Morena et al, 2001). However, the quality and the abundance of the descriptive information held on a given urban catchment depend on the evolution of the corresponding territory and associated databases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of morphological approaches to determine unit hydrographs of urban catchments

Rodríguez

Cudennec

Andrieu

2005

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:Determining the hydrological response of urban catchments is of great interest for urban water management. Since most urban catchments are ungauged, this response must be deduced from catchment features, the description of which can be processed more easily today thanks to the availability of urban databases and geographical information systems within many cities. We compare three complementary methods for determining unit hydrographs, with varying degrees of catchment morphology description. The first method, displaying a high degree of description (URBS-UH), is derived from the analysis of urban databases and yields an explicit description of runoff production areas and their downstream flow channels. The second method (H2U), which corresponds to a moderate degree of description, consists of a gamma law whose parameters are based on both the Strahler's catchment order and the average hydraulic length of water paths through the drainage system. The third method, corresponding to a low degree (FDTF), derives the unit hydrograph by means of an iterative deconvolution identification technique using observed rainfall and flow data. The three methods have all been applied to two urban catchments (of 60 and 180 ha), located within the Nantes metropolitan area (western France). Their comparison is discussed and reveals encouraging results: the variability of unit hydrographs due to rainfall intensity is observed with all three of the methods. Deriving unit hydrographs from the morphology of an ungauged catchment would appear beneficial for hydrological purposes, and the degree of information inclusion regarding this morphology can be adapted depending on the availability of geographical data on the catchment studied.

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Using Local Weather Radar Data for Sewer System Modeling: Case Study in Flanders, Belgium

Goormans

Willems

2013

J. Hydrol. Eng.

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Effect of Rainfall Variability on the Hydrological Behavior of Urban Basins: A Simulation Study Based on Weather Radar Data

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

Sensitivity of hydrological models to uncertainty in rainfall input

Sensitivity of hydrological models to uncertainty in rainfall input

Application of morphological approaches to determine unit hydrographs of urban catchments

Using Local Weather Radar Data for Sewer System Modeling: Case Study in Flanders, Belgium

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