Correspondence Between Model Structures and Hydrological Signatures: A Large‐Sample Case Study Using 508 Brazilian Catchments

Daily streamflow dynamics can be accurately simulated by conceptual models as simple as a single bucket in some catchments, while they require more complex configurations in other catchments. However, without resorting to calibration, anticipating where and why a given model structure may be appropr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water resources research 2022-03, Vol.58 (3), p.n/a
Main Authors: David, Paula C., Chaffe, Pedro L. B., Chagas, Vinicius B. P., Dal Molin, Marco, Oliveira, Debora Y., Klein, Antonio H. F., Fenicia, Fabrizio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aridity
Base flow
Catchment area
Catchments
Climate models
conceptual hydrological modeling
Feasibility studies
Hydrologic models
hydrological signature
Hydrology
Modelling
Permeability
Rain
Rainfall
Reservoirs
Runoff
Signatures
Stream discharge
Stream flow
Structures
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Summary:Daily streamflow dynamics can be accurately simulated by conceptual models as simple as a single bucket in some catchments, while they require more complex configurations in other catchments. However, without resorting to calibration, anticipating where and why a given model structure may be appropriate remains difficult. In this work, we explored the feasibility of relating suitable model structures to the climate and streamflow characteristics of 508 catchments in Brazil. Specifically, we tested four model structures using up to three reservoirs, where each reservoir is intended to represent a catchment function: the rainfall‐runoff threshold, the fast, and the slow hydrograph response. We hypothesized a relationship between suitable model structures and hydrological signatures of aridity (IA) and baseflow index (IB). Our results show that different classes of signatures resulted in distinct patterns of model performance. Wet catchments (IA 
ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973
DOI:10.1029/2021WR030619