Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.04.035
Title (Primary) A weighted, multi-method approach for accurate basin-wide streamflow estimation in an ungauged watershed
Author Shope, C.L.; Bartsch, S.; Kim, K.; Kim, B.; Tenhunen, J.; Peiffer, S.; Park, J.-H.; Ok, Y.S.; Fleckenstein, J.H.; Koellner, T.
Source Titel Journal of Hydrology
Year 2013
Department HDG
Volume 494
Page From 72
Page To 82
Language englisch
Keywords TERRECO; Korea; Discharge; Baseflow; Topography; River
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract

River discharge is a commonly measured hydrologic variable; however, estimate uncertainty is often higher than acceptable limits. To quantify method limitations and spatiotemporal variability, a multi-year hydrologic flow partitioning investigation was completed under monsoonal conditions in the ungauged complex terrain of the Haean Catchment, South Korea. Our results indicate that sediment transport from a single annual monsoonal event can significantly modify the channel cross-sectional area resulting in inaccurate stage-discharge rating curves. We compare six discharge measurement methods at 13 locations that vary in slope from 1% to 80%, with discharge ranging up to four orders in magnitude, which enabled us to weight the accuracy of each method over a specific range in discharge. The most accurate discharge estimation methods are the weir, the acoustic Doppler current profiler, and the in-stream velocity area method; however, under certain conditions each of these methods is less desirable than other methods. The uncertainty in the three methods is on average 0.4%, 4.7%, and 6.1% of the total discharge, respectively. The accuracy of the discharge estimates has a direct influence on the characterization of basin-wide hydrologic partitioning, which can lead to significant variability in sediment erosion rates and nutrient fate and transport.

Shope, C.L., Bartsch, S., Kim, K., Kim, B., Tenhunen, J., Peiffer, S., Park, J.-H., Ok, Y.S., Fleckenstein, J.H., Koellner, T. (2013):
A weighted, multi-method approach for accurate basin-wide streamflow estimation in an ungauged watershed
J. Hydrol. 494 , 72 - 82 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.04.035