Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model
Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a key role in hydrological impact studies and operational flood forecasting models as ET represents a loss of water from a catchment. <br><br> Although ET is a major component of the catchment water balance, the evapotranspiration input for rainfall–runoff m...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2013-11-01
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Series: | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
Online Access: | http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/4525/2013/hess-17-4525-2013.pdf |
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author | B. Samain V. R. N. Pauwels |
author_facet | B. Samain V. R. N. Pauwels |
author_sort | B. Samain |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a key role in hydrological impact studies and
operational flood forecasting models as ET represents a loss of water from a
catchment.
<br><br>
Although ET is a major component of the catchment water balance, the
evapotranspiration input for rainfall–runoff models is often simplified in
contrast to the detailed estimates of catchment averaged precipitation.
<br><br>
In this study, an existing conceptual rainfall–runoff model calibrated for
and operational in the Bellebeek catchment in Belgium firstly has been
validated and its sensitivity to different available potential ET input has
been studied. It has been shown that when applying a calibrated
rainfall–runoff model, the model input should be consistent with the input
used for the calibration process, not only on the volume of ET, but also on
the seasonal pattern. Secondly, estimates of the actual evapotranspiration
based on measurements of a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) have been used
as model forcing in the rainfall–runoff model. From this analysis, it has
been shown that the actual evapotranspiration is a crucial factor in
simulating the catchment water balance and the resulting stream flow.
<br><br>
Regarding the actual evapotranspiration estimates from the LAS, it has been
concluded that they can be considered realistic in summer months. In the
months where stable conditions prevail (autumn, winter and (early) spring),
an underestimation of the actual evapotranspiration is made, which has an
important impact on the catchment's water balance. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:47:14Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-80c806a5fc3b46a280edc7ae7f77b4bd |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1027-5606 1607-7938 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:47:14Z |
publishDate | 2013-11-01 |
publisher | Copernicus Publications |
record_format | Article |
series | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-80c806a5fc3b46a280edc7ae7f77b4bd2022-12-21T18:14:40ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382013-11-0117114525454010.5194/hess-17-4525-2013Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff modelB. Samain0V. R. N. Pauwels1Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen – Department of Integrated Water Management, Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, AustraliaEvapotranspiration (ET) plays a key role in hydrological impact studies and operational flood forecasting models as ET represents a loss of water from a catchment. <br><br> Although ET is a major component of the catchment water balance, the evapotranspiration input for rainfall–runoff models is often simplified in contrast to the detailed estimates of catchment averaged precipitation. <br><br> In this study, an existing conceptual rainfall–runoff model calibrated for and operational in the Bellebeek catchment in Belgium firstly has been validated and its sensitivity to different available potential ET input has been studied. It has been shown that when applying a calibrated rainfall–runoff model, the model input should be consistent with the input used for the calibration process, not only on the volume of ET, but also on the seasonal pattern. Secondly, estimates of the actual evapotranspiration based on measurements of a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) have been used as model forcing in the rainfall–runoff model. From this analysis, it has been shown that the actual evapotranspiration is a crucial factor in simulating the catchment water balance and the resulting stream flow. <br><br> Regarding the actual evapotranspiration estimates from the LAS, it has been concluded that they can be considered realistic in summer months. In the months where stable conditions prevail (autumn, winter and (early) spring), an underestimation of the actual evapotranspiration is made, which has an important impact on the catchment's water balance.http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/4525/2013/hess-17-4525-2013.pdf |
spellingShingle | B. Samain V. R. N. Pauwels Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
title | Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model |
title_full | Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model |
title_fullStr | Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model |
title_full_unstemmed | Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model |
title_short | Impact of potential and (scintillometer-based) actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall–runoff model |
title_sort | impact of potential and scintillometer based actual evapotranspiration estimates on the performance of a lumped rainfall runoff model |
url | http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/17/4525/2013/hess-17-4525-2013.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv | AT bsamain impactofpotentialandscintillometerbasedactualevapotranspirationestimatesontheperformanceofalumpedrainfallrunoffmodel AT vrnpauwels impactofpotentialandscintillometerbasedactualevapotranspirationestimatesontheperformanceofalumpedrainfallrunoffmodel |