Estimating Watershed-Scale Precipitation by Combining Gauge- and Radar-Derived Observations


Ercan M. B., Goodall J. L.

JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING, cilt.18, sa.8, ss.983-994, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 8
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1061/(asce)he.1943-5584.0000687
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.983-994
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Watershed modeling requires accurate estimates of precipitation; however, in some cases it is necessary to simulate streamflow in a watershed for which there is no precipitation gauge records within close proximity to the watershed. For such cases, we propose an approach to estimating watershed-scale precipitation by combining (or fusing) gauge-based precipitation time series with radar-based precipitation time series in a way that seeks to match input precipitation for the watershed model with observed streamflow at the watershed outlet. We test the proposed data fusion approach through a case study where the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is used to simulate streamflow for a portion of the Eno River Watershed located in Orange County, North Carolina. Results of this case study show that the proposed approach improved model accuracy (; ; ) when compared to a model driven by gauge data only (; ; ) or radar data only (; ; ). While this result is limited to a single watershed case study, it suggests that the proposed approach could be a useful tool for hydrologic engineers in need of retrospective precipitation estimates for watersheds that suffer from inadequate gauge coverage. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.