Comparison of daily and sub-daily SWAT models for daily streamflow simulation in the Upper Huai River Basin of China

Yang, Xiaoying, Liu, Qun, He, Yi, Luo, Xingzhang and Zhang, Xiaoxiang (2016) Comparison of daily and sub-daily SWAT models for daily streamflow simulation in the Upper Huai River Basin of China. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 30 (3). pp. 959-972. ISSN 1436-3240

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Abstract

Despite the significant role of precipitation in the hydrological cycle, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the impacts of the temporal resolution of rainfall inputs on the performance of SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) models in large-sized river basins. In this study, both daily and hourly rainfall observations at 28 rainfall stations were used as inputs to SWAT for daily streamflow simulation in the Upper Huai River Basin. Study results have demonstrated that the SWAT model with hourly rainfall inputs performed better than the model with daily rainfall inputs in daily streamflow simulation, primarily due to its better capability of simulating peak flows during the flood season. The sub-daily SWAT model estimated that 58% of streamflow was contributed by baseflow compared to 34 % estimated by the daily model. Using the future daily and three-hour precipitation projections under the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 scenario as inputs, the sub-daily SWAT model predicted a larger amount of monthly maximum daily flow during the wet years than the daily model. The differences between the daily and sub-daily SWAT model simulation results indicated that temporal rainfall resolution could have much impact on the simulation of hydrological process, streamflow, and consequently pollutant transport by SWAT models. There is an imperative need for more studies to examine the effects of temporal rainfall resolution on the simulation of hydrological and water pollutant transport processes by SWAT in river basins of different environmental conditions.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: daily streamflow,hourly rainfall,regional downscaling,huai river,swat
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 17 Mar 2016 13:32
Last Modified: 21 Oct 2022 00:58
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/57550
DOI: 10.1007/s00477-015-1099-0

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