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Modeling watershed rainfall–runoff relations using impervious surface-area data with high spatial resolution

Modélisation des relations pluie–débit à l’échelle du bassin versant utilisant des données à haute résolution spatiale sur les surfaces imperméables

Modelación de las relaciones cuenca–precipitación–escurrimiento usando datos areales de superficies impermeables con alta resolución especial

利用高空间分辨率的不透水地表表面积数据模拟流域-降雨-径流的关系

Modelação de relações bacia hidrográfica-precipitação-escoamento utilizando dados de áreas de superfície impermeável com elevada resolução espacial

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Abstract

A distributed object-based rainfall–runoff simulation (DORS) model with incorporation of detailed impervious surface-area (ISA) data, derived from digital true-color orthophotography data with high spatial resolution, was developed. This physically based model simulates hydrologic processes of precipitation interception, infiltration, runoff, evapotranspiration, change of soil moisture, change of water-table depth, runoff routing, groundwater routing, and channel-flow routing. The modeling processes take objects based on land-cover types as fundamental spatial units in order to reduce data volume, increase computational efficiency, strengthen representation of watersheds, and utilize the data in variable scales. US Geological Survey stream-gaging data were used to validate the temporal variation of simulated discharge within two watersheds in Rhode Island State. The ratio of absolute error to the mean and the Nash coefficient in the validation period are 7.2% and 0.90 for the first watershed, and 8.0% and 0.77 for the second watershed, respectively. The results indicate that the DORS model is able to capture the relationship between rainfall and runoff in the study area, and that it is applicable in the further study of ISA impacts on the water cycle and associated pollution problems. The results also demonstrate that the performance of the hydrologic simulation is improved with ISA data with high spatial resolution.

Résumé

Un modèle basé pluie-débit (DORS) incorporant des données détaillées sur les surfaces imperméables (ISA) dérivées d’orthophotographies numériques couleur haute résolution a été développé. Ce modèle à base physique simule les processus d’interception des précipitations, infiltration, ruissellement de surface, évapotranspiration, variations de l’humidité du sol et du niveau piézométrique. Il simule aussi l’écoulement superficiel, celui des eaux souterraines et le transfert hydrographique. La modélisation individualise des objets en fonction de l’occupation du sol et les définit en tant qu’unités spatiales afin de réduire le volume de données, d’augmenter l’efficacité du traitement numérique, d’améliorer la représentation des bassins versants et d’utiliser les données à des échelles variables. Les données des débits relatifs à deux cours d’eau de l’Etat de Rhode Island fournies par le US Geological Survey (USGS) ont été utilisées pour valider les variations temporelles des débits simulés. Sur la période de validation, le rapport de l’erreur absolue rapportée à la moyenne et le coefficient de Nash sont respectivement de 7.2% et 0.90 pour le premier bassin versant et de 8.0% et 0.77 pour le second. Les résultats indiquent que le modèle DORS est capable d’établir la relation pluie-débit dans la zone d’étude et qu’il est applicable aux autres études d’impact des ISA sur le cycle de l’eau et aux problèmes de pollution associés. Les résultats démontrent aussi que l’utilisation des données ISA à haute résolution spatiale améliore la performance de la simulation hydrologique.

Resumen

Se desarrolló un modelo de simulación precipitación–escurrimiento basado en objetos distribuidos (DORS) con la incorporación de detallados datos areales de superficies impermeables (ISA), a partir de datos de ortofotográficos digitales de color verdadero con una alta resolución espacial. Este modelo de bases físicas simula los procesos hidrológicos de la intercepción de la precipitación, infiltración, escurrimiento, evapotranspiración, cambios en la humedad del suelo, cambios en la profundidad del nivel freático y la propagación del escurrimiento, de las aguas subterráneas y del flujo en canales. El proceso de modelación toma objetos apoyados en los tipos de cubierta del suelo como unidades espaciales fundamentales con el objeto de reducir el volumen de datos, incrementar la eficiencia computacional, fortalecer la representación de las cuencas, y utilizar los datos en escalas variables. Se utilizan las mediciones de las aguas superficiales del US Geological Survey para validar la variación temporal de la descarga simulada en el interior de dos cuencas en el Estado de Rhode Island. El cociente entre el error absoluto y el medio y el coeficiente de Nash en el período de validación son 7.2% y 0.90 para la primera cuenca, y 8.0% y 0.77 para la segunda cuenca, respectivamente. Los resultados indican que el modelo DORS es capaz de capturar la relación entre la precipitación y el escurrimiento en el área de estudio, y que es aplicable en el estudio ulterior de impactos ISA en el ciclo del agua y en problemas asociados de contaminación. Los resultados también demuestran que la bondad de la simulación hidrológica se mejora con los datos ISA con alta resolución espacial.

摘要

我们建立了一个基于对象的降雨-径流模拟 (DORS) 的分布式模型, 该模型耦合了来自数字真彩色高空间分辨率正射投影数据的详细的不透水地表表面积 (ISA) 数据。这个基于物理的模型模拟了降雨截留, 入渗, 径流, 蒸散发, 土壤湿度变化, 地下水埋深变化, 径流路径, 地下水路径以及渠道流路径的水文过程。模拟过程采用的对象是基于土地覆盖类型, 以其作为基础空间单位来降低数据量, 增加计算效率和增强流域的代表性以及在不同的尺度上利用数据。利用美国地质调查局的测流压数据来校正罗得岛州两个流域内排泄量时空变化的模型。校正时间内, 对于第一个流域和第二个流域, 模拟结果相对于平均和纳什系数的绝对误差分别是7.2%和0.9以及8.0%和0.77。结果表明DORS模型可以用来确定研究区降雨和径流的关系, 且在ISA对水循环影响以及相关的污染问题的进一步研究中是适用的。此外, 还证明了利用高空间分辨率的ISA数据提高了水文模拟的性能。

Resumo

Desenvolveu-se um modelo de distribuição baseado na simulação da precipitação-escoamento (Distributed Object-based Rainfall–runoff Simulation–DORS) com incorporação de dados pormenorizados de áreas de superfície impermeável (Impervious Surface-Area–ISA), obtidos através de ortofotografias digitais de cor verdadeira com elevada resolução espacial. Este modelo, fisicamente baseado, simula os processos hidrológicos de intercepção da precipitação, infiltração, escoamento, evapotranspiração, mudança na humidade do solo, alteração da profundidade ao nível piezométrico, propagação do escoamento, propagação das águas subterrâneas e propagação de fluxo em canais. O processo de modelação considera como unidade espacial fundamental objectos baseados no tipo de ocupação do solo, de forma a reduzir o volume de dados, aumentar a eficiência computacional e fortalecer a representação das bacias hidrográficas, utilizando dados a escalas variáveis. Os dados de medição de caudais dos Serviços Geológicos dos EUA foram utilizados para validar as variações temporais das descargas simuladas em duas bacias hidrográficas localizadas no Estado de Rhode Island. A relação de erro absoluto para a média e o coeficiente de Nash no período de validação foi de 7.2% e 0.90 para a primeira bacia e de 8.0% e 0.77 para a segunda. Os resultados indicam que o modelo DORS é capaz de reproduzir a relação entre a precipitação e o escoamento na área de estudo e que é aplicável aos futuros estudos de impactes de ISA no ciclo hidrológico e aos problemas de poluição associados. Os resultados também demonstram que o desempenho da simulação hidrológica é melhorado com dados de ISA de elevada resolução espacial.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Rhode Island Agricultural Experimental Station (RI00H330). The authors would like to thank the editors and reviewers for a thorough review and for their insightful and constructive comments and suggestions.

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  1. Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, 1 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI, 02881-0804, USA

    Yuyu Zhou, Yeqiao Wang, Arthur J. Gold & Peter V. August

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  1. Yuyu Zhou
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  2. Yeqiao Wang
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  3. Arthur J. Gold
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Correspondence to Yuyu Zhou.

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Zhou, Y., Wang, Y., Gold, A.J. et al. Modeling watershed rainfall–runoff relations using impervious surface-area data with high spatial resolution. Hydrogeol J 18, 1413–1423 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0618-9

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