The UP modelling system for large scale hydrology: simulation of the Arkansas-Red River basin

Kilsby, C., Ewen, J., Sloan, W. , Burton, A., Fallows, C. and O'Connell, P. (1999) The UP modelling system for large scale hydrology: simulation of the Arkansas-Red River basin. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 3(1), pp. 137-149. (doi: 10.5194/hess-3-137-1999)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hess-3-137-1999

Abstract

The UP (Upscaled Physically-based) hydrological modelling system to the Arkansas-Red River basin (USA) is designed for macro-scale simulations of land surface processes, and aims for a physical basis and, avoids the use of discharge records in the direct calibration of parameters. This is achieved in a two stage process: in the first stage parametrizations are derived from detailed modelling of selected representative small and then used in a second stage in which a simple distributed model is used to simulate the dynamic behaviour of the whole basin. The first stage of the process is described in a companion paper (Ewen et al., this issue), and the second stage of this process is described here. The model operated at an hourly time-step on 17-km grid squares for a two year simulation period, and represents all the important hydrological processes including regional aquifer recharge, groundwater discharge, infiltration- and saturation-excess runoff, evapotranspiration, snowmelt, overland and channel flow. Outputs from the model are discussed, and include river discharge at gauging stations and space-time fields of evaporation and soil moisture. Whilst the model efficiency assessed by comparison of simulated and observed discharge records is not as good as could be achieved with a model calibrated against discharge, there are considerable advantages in retaining a physical basis in applications to ungauged river basins and assessments of impacts of land use or climate change.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sloan, Professor William
Authors: Kilsby, C., Ewen, J., Sloan, W., Burton, A., Fallows, C., and O'Connell, P.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Publisher:Copernicus Publications
ISSN:1607-7938

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