Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Radar Rainfall Estimates for Hydrologic and Landslide Modeling

  • Chapter
Data Assimilation for Atmospheric, Oceanic and Hydrologic Applications

Abstract

The spatial variability of rainfall is an important input to hydrologic and landslide modeling. The scarcity of rain gauges, especially in mountainous watersheds, has been a common problem in incorporating spatially variable rainfall fields into hydrologic and landslide models. This study describes the application of rainfall estimates derived from multi-sensor radar data for two storm events. For both stream discharge simulation and landslide modeling, the results are encouraging. Statistics for comparing the simulated with the observed show that radar rainfall is more accurate than gauged rainfall in simulating stream discharge. A logit model developed from landslides and radar rainfall for one storm event is able to predict over 80% of landslides triggered by another storm event. This study suggests that radar rainfall, although it still has some shortcomings, can be an alternative to gauged rainfall for modeling applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aleotti P (2004) A warning system for rainfall-induced shallow failures. Eng Geol 73:247–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew L, Yamagishi H (2005) The application of GIS-based logistic regression for landslide susceptibility in the Kakuda-Yahiko Mountains, Central Japan. Geomorphology 65:15–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven KJ, Kirkby MJ (1979) A physically based, variable contributing area model of basin hydrology. Hydrol Sci B 24:43–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle DP, Gupta HV, Sorooshian D (2001) Toward improved stream flow forecast: Value of semi-distributed modeling. Water Resour Res 37:2749–2759

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandes EA (1975) Optimizing rainfall estimates with the aid of radar. J Appl Meteorol 14:1339–1345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Can T, Nefeslioglu HA, Gokceoglu C, Sonmez H, Duman TY (2005) Susceptibility assessments of shallow earthflows triggered by heavy rainfall at three catchments by logistic regression analyses. Geomorphology 72:250–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter TM, Georgakakos KP (2004a) Continuous streamflow simulation with the HRCDHM distributed hydrologic model. J Hydrol 298:61–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter TM, Georgakakos KP (2004b) Impacts of parametric and radar rainfall uncertainty on the ensemble streamflow simulations of a distributed hydrologic model. J Hydrol 298:202–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casadei M, Dietrich WE, Miller NL (2003) Testing a model for predicting the timing and location of shallow landslide initiation in soil-mantled landscapes. Earth Surf Proc 28:925–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang K, Chiang S, Feng L (2007) Analyzing the relationship between typhoon-triggered landslides and critical rainfall conditions. Earth Surf Proc doi:10.1002/esp.1611

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen C, Lee W, Yu F (2006) Debris flow hazards and emergency response in Taiwan. In Lorenzini G., Brebbia CA, Emmanouloudis DE (eds) Monitoring, simulation, prevention and remediation of dense and debris flows. WIT Press, Southampton, Boston, pp 311–320

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chen C, Lin L, Yu F, Lee C, Tseng C, Wang A, Cheung K (2007) Improving debris flow monitoring in Taiwan by using high-resolution rainfall products from QPESUMS. Nat Hazards40:447–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiang Y, Chang F, Jou BJ, Lin P (2007) Dynamic ANN for precipitation estimation and forecasting from radar observations. J Hydrol 334:250–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai FC, Lee CF (2003) A spatiotemporal probabilistic modelling of storm-induced shallow landsliding using aerial photographs and logistic regression. Earth Surf Proc 28:527–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dinku T, Anagnostou EN (2002) Improving radar-based estimation of rainfall over complex terrain. J Appl Meteorol 41:1163–1178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franchini M, O’Connell PE (1996) An analysis of the dynamic component of the geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph. J Hydrol 175:407–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fulton RA, Breidenbach JP, Seo D, Miller DA (1998) The WSR-88D rainfall algorithm. Weather Forecast 13:377–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godt JW, Baum RL, Chleborad AF (2006) Rainfall characteristics for shallow landsliding in Seattle, Washington, USA. Earth Surf Proc 31:97–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gourley JJ, Maddox RA, Howard KW, Burgess DW (2002) An exploratory multisensor technique for quantitative estimation of stratiform rainfall. J Hydrometeor 3:166–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Carrara A, Cardinali M, Reichenbach P (1999) Landslide hazard evaluation: a review of current techniques and their application in a multi-scale study, Central Italy. Geomorphology 31:181–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzetti F, Cardinali M, Reichenbach P, Cipolla F, Sebastiani C, Galli M, Salvati P (2004) Landslides triggered by the 23 November 2000 rainfall event in the Imperia Province, Western Liguria, Italy. Eng Geol 73:229–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haberlandt U (2007) Geostatistical interpolation of hourly precipitation from rain gauges and radar for a large-scale extreme rainfall event. J Hydrology 332:144–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hossain F, Anagnostou EN, Dinku T, Borga M (2004) Hydrological model sensitivity to parameter and radar rainfall estimation uncertainty. Hydrol Process 18:3277–3291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard KW, Gourley JJ, Maddox RA (1997) Uncertainties in WSR-88D measurements and their impacts on monitoring life cycles. Weather Forecast 12:166–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iverson RM (2000) Landslide triggering by rain infiltration. Water Resour Res 36:1897–1910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalinga OA, Gan TY (2006) Semi-distributed modelling of basin hydrology with radar and gauged precipitation. Hydrol Process 20:3725–3746

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby MJ (1976) Tests of random network model and its application to basin hydrology. Earth Surf Proc 1:197–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krajewski WF, Smith JA (2002) Radar hydrology: rainfall estimation. Adv Water Res 25:1387–1394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb R, Beven K (1997) Using interactive recession curve analysis to specify a general catchment storage model. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 1:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YB, Gebremeskel S, De Smedt F, Hoffman L, Pfister L (2003) A diffusive approach for flow routing in GIS based flood modeling. J Hydrol 283:91–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YB, De Smedt F, Hoffmann L, Pfister L (2005) Assessing land use impacts on flood processes in complex terrain by using GIS and modeling approach. Environ Model Assess 9:227–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall JS, Langille RC, Palmer WM (1947) Measurement of rainfall by radar. J Meteorol 4:186–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Menard S (2002) Applied logistic regression analysis. 2nd ed. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Molnar P, Ramirez JA (1998) Energy dissipation theories and optimal channel characteristics of river network. Water Resour Res 34:1809–1818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery DR, Dietrich WE (1994) A physically based model for topographic control on shallow landsliding. Water Resour Res 30:1153–1171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morrissey MM, Wieczorek GF, Morgan BA (2004) Transient hazard model using radar data for predicting debris flows in Madison County, Virginia. Environ Eng Geosci 10:285–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash JE, Sutcliffe JV (1970) River flow forecasting through conceptual models 1: A discussion of principles. J Hydrol 10:282–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norbiato D, Borga M, Sangati M, Zanon F (2007) Regional frequency analysis of extreme precipitation in the eastern Italian Alps and the August 29, 2003 flash flood. J Hydrol 345:149–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohlmacher GC, Davis JC (2003) Using multiple logistic regression and GIS technology to predict landslide hazard in northeast Kansas, USA. Eng Geol 69:331–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reed S, Schaake J, Zhang Z (2007) A distributed hydrologic model and threshold frequency-based method for flash flood forecasting at ungauged locations. J Hydrol 337:402–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segond M, Wheater HS, Onof C (2007) The significance of spatial rainfall representation for flood runoff estimation: A numerical evaluation based on the Lee catchment, UK. J Hydrol 347:116–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner M, Smith JA (2002) Use of three-dimensional reflectivity structure for automated detection and removal of nonprecipitating echoes in radar data. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 19:673–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stellman KM, Fuelberg HE (2001) An examination of radar and rain gauge-derived mean areal precipitation over Georgia watershed. Weather Forecast 16:133–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarboton DG (1997) A new method for the determination of flow directions and contributing areas in grid digital elevation models. Water Resour Res 33:309–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Liu G, Xu W, Wang G (2005) GIS-based landslide hazard assessment: an overview. Prog Phys Geog 29:548–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JW (1970) Integration of radar and raingage data for improved rainfall measurement. J App Meteor 9: 489–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xin L, Reuter G, Larochelle B (1997) Reflectivity-rain rate relationships for convective rainshowers in Edmonton. Atmos-Ocean 35:513–521

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang D, Koike T, Tanizawa H (2004) Application of a distributed hydrological model and weather radar observations for flood management in the upper Tone River of Japan. Hydrol Proc 18:3119–3132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yesilnacar E, Topal T (2005) Landslide susceptibility mapping: a comparison of logistic regression and neural networks methods in a medium scale study, Hendek region (Turkey). Eng Geol 79:251–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zevenbergen LW, Thorne CR (1987) Quantitative analysis of land surface topography. Earth Surf Proc 12:47–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Howard K, Gourley JJ (2005) Constructing three-dimensional multiple-radar reflectivity mosaics: Examples of convective storms and stratiform rain echoes. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 22:30–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kainan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Kang-Tsung Chang

Authors
  1. Kang-Tsung Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jr-Chuan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shuh-Ji Kao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shou-Hao Chiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Environmental Science & Engineering, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyun-dong, Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea

    Seon K. Park (Prof.) (Prof.)

  2. Naval Research Laboratory, 7 Grace Hopper Avenue Stop 2, Monterey, CA 93943-5502, USA

    Liang Xu Dr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chang, KT., Huang, JC., Kao, SJ., Chiang, SH. (2009). Radar Rainfall Estimates for Hydrologic and Landslide Modeling. In: Park, S.K., Xu, L. (eds) Data Assimilation for Atmospheric, Oceanic and Hydrologic Applications. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71056-1_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation