Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada)
An analysis of hydrological response to a multi-model approach based on an ensemble of seven snow models (SM; degree-day and mixed degree-day/energy balance models) coupled with three hydrological models (HM) is presented for a snowmelt-dominated basin in Canada. The present study aims to compare th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2015-11-01
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| Series: | Hydrology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/2/4/289 |
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| author | Magali Troin Richard Arsenault François Brissette |
| author_facet | Magali Troin Richard Arsenault François Brissette |
| author_sort | Magali Troin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An analysis of hydrological response to a multi-model approach based on an ensemble of seven snow models (SM; degree-day and mixed degree-day/energy balance models) coupled with three hydrological models (HM) is presented for a snowmelt-dominated basin in Canada. The present study aims to compare the performance and the reliability of different types of SM-HM combinations at simulating snowmelt flows over the 1961–2000 historical period. The multi-model approach also allows evaluating the uncertainties associated with the structure of the SM-HM ensemble to better predict river flows in Nordic environments. The 20-year calibration shows a satisfactory performance of the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations at simulating daily discharges and snow water equivalents (SWEs), with low streamflow volume biases. The validation of the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations is conducted over a 20-year period. Performances are similar to the calibration in simulating the daily discharges and SWEs, again with low model biases for streamflow. The spring-snowmelt-generated peak flow is captured only in timing by the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations. The results of specific hydrologic indicators show that the uncertainty related to the choice of the given HM in the SM-HM combinations cannot be neglected in a more quantitative manner in simulating snowmelt flows. The selection of the SM plays a larger role than the choice of the SM approach (degree-day versus mixed degree-day/energy balance) in simulating spring flows. Overall, the snow models provide a low degree of uncertainty to the total uncertainty in hydrological modeling for snow hydrology studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:38:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-18b1d70730d44573ab5c264b7f93e041 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:38:18Z |
| publishDate | 2015-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj.art-18b1d70730d44573ab5c264b7f93e0412022-12-22T03:55:06ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382015-11-012428931710.3390/hydrology2040289hydrology2040289Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada)Magali Troin0Richard Arsenault1François Brissette2Department of Construction Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, CanadaDepartment of Construction Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, CanadaDepartment of Construction Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec, 1100 Notre-Dame Street West, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, CanadaAn analysis of hydrological response to a multi-model approach based on an ensemble of seven snow models (SM; degree-day and mixed degree-day/energy balance models) coupled with three hydrological models (HM) is presented for a snowmelt-dominated basin in Canada. The present study aims to compare the performance and the reliability of different types of SM-HM combinations at simulating snowmelt flows over the 1961–2000 historical period. The multi-model approach also allows evaluating the uncertainties associated with the structure of the SM-HM ensemble to better predict river flows in Nordic environments. The 20-year calibration shows a satisfactory performance of the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations at simulating daily discharges and snow water equivalents (SWEs), with low streamflow volume biases. The validation of the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations is conducted over a 20-year period. Performances are similar to the calibration in simulating the daily discharges and SWEs, again with low model biases for streamflow. The spring-snowmelt-generated peak flow is captured only in timing by the ensemble of 21 SM-HM combinations. The results of specific hydrologic indicators show that the uncertainty related to the choice of the given HM in the SM-HM combinations cannot be neglected in a more quantitative manner in simulating snowmelt flows. The selection of the SM plays a larger role than the choice of the SM approach (degree-day versus mixed degree-day/energy balance) in simulating spring flows. Overall, the snow models provide a low degree of uncertainty to the total uncertainty in hydrological modeling for snow hydrology studies.http://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/2/4/289snow modelshydrological modelssnowmeltuncertaintyCanada |
| spellingShingle | Magali Troin Richard Arsenault François Brissette Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) Hydrology snow models hydrological models snowmelt uncertainty Canada |
| title | Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) |
| title_full | Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) |
| title_fullStr | Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) |
| title_short | Performance and Uncertainty Evaluation of Snow Models on Snowmelt Flow Simulations over a Nordic Catchment (Mistassibi, Canada) |
| title_sort | performance and uncertainty evaluation of snow models on snowmelt flow simulations over a nordic catchment mistassibi canada |
| topic | snow models hydrological models snowmelt uncertainty Canada |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/2/4/289 |
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