Articles | Volume 23, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2665-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2665-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
21 Jun 2019
Research article |
| 21 Jun 2019
| 21 Jun 2019
Contrasting rainfall-runoff characteristics of floods in desert and Mediterranean basins
Davide Zoccatelli
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Francesco Marra
Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Moshe Armon
Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Yair Rinat
Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
James A. Smith
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Efrat Morin
Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Related authors
Mattia Zaramella, Marco Borga, Davide Zoccatelli, and Luca Carturan
Geosci. Model Dev., 12, 5251–5265, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-5251-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-5251-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents TOPMELT, a parsimonious snowpack simulation model integrated into a basin-scale hydrological model. TOPMELT implements the full spatial distribution of clear-sky potential solar radiation by means of a statistical representation: this approach reduces computational burden, which is a key potential advantage when parameter sensitivity and uncertainty estimation procedures are carried out. The model is assessed by examining different resolutions of its domain.
William Amponsah, Pierre-Alain Ayral, Brice Boudevillain, Christophe Bouvier, Isabelle Braud, Pascal Brunet, Guy Delrieu, Jean-François Didon-Lescot, Eric Gaume, Laurent Lebouc, Lorenzo Marchi, Francesco Marra, Efrat Morin, Guillaume Nord, Olivier Payrastre, Davide Zoccatelli, and Marco Borga
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 10, 1783–1794, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-1783-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-1783-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The EuroMedeFF database comprises 49 events that occurred in France, Israel, Germany, Slovenia, Romania, and Italy. The dataset may be of help to hydrologists as well as other scientific communities because it offers benchmark data for the verification of flash flood hydrological models and for hydro-meteorological forecast systems. It provides, moreover, a sample of rainfall and flood discharge extremes in different climates.
Francesco Marra, Elisa Destro, Efthymios I. Nikolopoulos, Davide Zoccatelli, Jean Dominique Creutin, Fausto Guzzetti, and Marco Borga
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4525–4532, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4525-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4525-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Previous studies have reported a systematic underestimation of debris flow occurrence thresholds, due to the use of sparse networks in non-stationary rain fields. We analysed high-resolution radar data to show that spatially aggregated estimates (e.g. satellite data) largely reduce this issue, in light of a reduced estimation variance. Our findings are transferable to other situations in which lower envelope curves are used to predict point-like events in the presence of non-stationary fields.
Joëlle C. Rieder, Franziska Aemisegger, Elad Dente, and Moshe Armon
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 1395–1427, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1395-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1395-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The Sahara was wetter in the past and may become wetter in the future. Lake remnants are evidence of the desert’s wetter past. If the Sahara gets wetter in the future, these lakes may serve as a water resource. However, it is unclear how these lakes get filled and how moisture is carried into the desert and converted into rain in the first place. Therefore, we examine processes currently leading to the filling of a dry lake in the Sahara, which can help assess future water availability.
Kevin Kenfack, Francesco Marra, Zéphirin Yepdo Djomou, Lucie Angennes Djiotang Tchotchou, Alain Tchio Tamoffo, and Derbetini Appolinaire Vondou
Weather Clim. Dynam., 5, 1457–1472, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-5-1457-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-5-1457-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The results of this study show that moisture advection induced by horizontal wind anomalies and vertical moisture advection induced by vertical velocity anomalies were crucial mechanisms behind the anomalous October 2019 exceptional rainfall increase over western central Africa. The information we derive can be used to support risk assessment and management in the region and to improve our resilience to ongoing climate change.
Talia Rosin, Francesco Marra, and Efrat Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 3549–3566, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3549-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3549-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge of extreme precipitation probability at various spatial–temporal scales is crucial. We estimate extreme precipitation return levels at multiple scales (10 min–24 h, 0.25–500 km2) in the eastern Mediterranean using radar data. We show our estimates are comparable to those derived from averaged daily rain gauges. We then explore multi-scale extreme precipitation across coastal, mountainous, and desert regions.
Rajani Kumar Pradhan, Yannis Markonis, Francesco Marra, Efthymios I. Nikolopoulos, Simon Michael Papalexiou, and Vincenzo Levizzani
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1626, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1626, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study compared global satellite and one reanalysis precipitation dataset to assess diurnal variability. We found that all datasets capture key diurnal precipitation patterns, with maximum precipitation in the afternoon over land and early morning over the ocean. However, there are differences in the exact timing and amount of precipitation. This suggests that it is better to use a combination of datasets for potential applications rather than relying on a single dataset.
Ellina Agayar, Franziska Aemisegger, Moshe Armon, Alexander Scherrmann, and Heini Wernli
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2441–2459, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2441-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2441-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the results of a climatological investigation of extreme precipitation events (EPEs) in Ukraine for the period 1979–2019. During all seasons EPEs are associated with pronounced upper-level potential vorticity (PV) anomalies. In addition, we find distinct seasonal and regional differences in moisture sources. Several extreme precipitation cases demonstrate the importance of these processes, complemented by a detailed synoptic analysis.
Shai Abir, Hamish A. McGowan, Yonatan Shaked, Hezi Gildor, Efrat Morin, and Nadav G. Lensky
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6177–6195, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6177-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6177-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding air–sea heat exchange is vital for studying ocean dynamics. Eddy covariance measurements over the Gulf of Eilat revealed a 3.22 m yr-1 evaporation rate, which is inconsistent with bulk formulae estimations in stable atmospheric conditions, requiring bulk formulae to be revisited in these environments. The surface fluxes have a net cooling effect on the gulf water on an annual mean (-79 W m-2), balanced by a strong exchange flux between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eilat.
Francesco Marra, Marika Koukoula, Antonio Canale, and Nadav Peleg
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 375–389, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-375-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-375-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new physical-based method for estimating extreme sub-hourly precipitation return levels (i.e., intensity–duration–frequency, IDF, curves), which are critical for the estimation of future floods. The proposed model, named TENAX, incorporates temperature as a covariate in a physically consistent manner. It has only a few parameters and can be easily set for any climate station given sub-hourly precipitation and temperature data are available.
Haggai Eyal, Moshe Armon, Yehouda Enzel, and Nadav G. Lensky
Earth Surf. Dynam., 11, 547–574, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-547-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-547-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Extracting paleoenvironmets from sedimentologic and geomorphic records is a main goal in Earth sciences. We study a chain of processes connecting causative Mediterranean cyclones, coeval floods, storm waves generated by mesoscale funneled wind, and coastal gravel transport. This causes northward dispersion of gravel along the modern Dead Sea coast, which has also persisted since the late Pleistocene, resulting in beach berms and fan deltas always being deposited north of channel mouths.
Stefan Steger, Mateo Moreno, Alice Crespi, Peter James Zellner, Stefano Luigi Gariano, Maria Teresa Brunetti, Massimo Melillo, Silvia Peruccacci, Francesco Marra, Robin Kohrs, Jason Goetz, Volkmar Mair, and Massimiliano Pittore
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1483–1506, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1483-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1483-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present a novel data-driven modelling approach to determine season-specific critical precipitation conditions for landslide occurrence. It is shown that the amount of precipitation required to trigger a landslide in South Tyrol varies from season to season. In summer, a higher amount of preparatory precipitation is required to trigger a landslide, probably due to denser vegetation and higher temperatures. We derive dynamic thresholds that directly relate to hit rates and false-alarm rates.
Nadav Peleg, Herminia Torelló-Sentelles, Grégoire Mariéthoz, Lionel Benoit, João P. Leitão, and Francesco Marra
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1233–1240, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1233-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1233-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Floods in urban areas are one of the most common natural hazards. Due to climate change enhancing extreme rainfall and cities becoming larger and denser, the impacts of these events are expected to increase. A fast and reliable flood warning system should thus be implemented in flood-prone cities to warn the public of upcoming floods. The purpose of this brief communication is to discuss the potential implementation of low-cost acoustic rainfall sensors in short-term flood warning systems.
Eleonora Dallan, Francesco Marra, Giorgia Fosser, Marco Marani, Giuseppe Formetta, Christoph Schär, and Marco Borga
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1133–1149, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1133-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1133-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Convection-permitting climate models could represent future changes in extreme short-duration precipitation, which is critical for risk management. We use a non-asymptotic statistical method to estimate extremes from 10 years of simulations in an orographically complex area. Despite overall good agreement with rain gauges, the observed decrease of hourly extremes with elevation is not fully represented by the model. Climate model adjustment methods should consider the role of orography.
Shalev Siman-Tov and Francesco Marra
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1079–1093, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1079-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1079-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Debris flows represent a threat to infrastructure and the population. In arid areas, they are observed when heavy rainfall hits steep slopes with sediments. Here, we use digital surface models and radar rainfall data to detect and characterize the triggering and non-triggering rainfall conditions. We find that rainfall intensity alone is insufficient to explain the triggering. We suggest that antecedent rainfall could represent a critical factor for debris flow triggering in arid regions.
Sella Nevo, Efrat Morin, Adi Gerzi Rosenthal, Asher Metzger, Chen Barshai, Dana Weitzner, Dafi Voloshin, Frederik Kratzert, Gal Elidan, Gideon Dror, Gregory Begelman, Grey Nearing, Guy Shalev, Hila Noga, Ira Shavitt, Liora Yuklea, Moriah Royz, Niv Giladi, Nofar Peled Levi, Ofir Reich, Oren Gilon, Ronnie Maor, Shahar Timnat, Tal Shechter, Vladimir Anisimov, Yotam Gigi, Yuval Levin, Zach Moshe, Zvika Ben-Haim, Avinatan Hassidim, and Yossi Matias
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4013–4032, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4013-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4013-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Early flood warnings are one of the most effective tools to save lives and goods. Machine learning (ML) models can improve flood prediction accuracy but their use in operational frameworks is limited. The paper presents a flood warning system, operational in India and Bangladesh, that uses ML models for forecasting river stage and flood inundation maps and discusses the models' performances. In 2021, more than 100 million flood alerts were sent to people near rivers over an area of 470 000 km2.
Assaf Hochman, Francesco Marra, Gabriele Messori, Joaquim G. Pinto, Shira Raveh-Rubin, Yizhak Yosef, and Georgios Zittis
Earth Syst. Dynam., 13, 749–777, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-749-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-749-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Gaining a complete understanding of extreme weather, from its physical drivers to its impacts on society, is important in supporting future risk reduction and adaptation measures. Here, we provide a review of the available scientific literature, knowledge gaps and key open questions in the study of extreme weather events over the vulnerable eastern Mediterranean region.
Francesco Marra, Moshe Armon, and Efrat Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 1439–1458, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1439-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1439-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new method for quantifying the probability of occurrence of extreme rainfall using radar data, and we use it to examine coastal and orographic effects on extremes. We identify three regimes, directly related to precipitation physical processes, which respond differently to these forcings. The methods and results are of interest for researchers and practitioners using radar for the analysis of extremes, risk managers, water resources managers, and climate change impact studies.
Yoav Ben Dor, Francesco Marra, Moshe Armon, Yehouda Enzel, Achim Brauer, Markus Julius Schwab, and Efrat Morin
Clim. Past, 17, 2653–2677, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2653-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2653-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Laminated sediments from the deepest part of the Dead Sea unravel the hydrological response of the eastern Mediterranean to past climate changes. This study demonstrates the importance of geological archives in complementing modern hydrological measurements that do not fully capture natural hydroclimatic variability, which is crucial to configure for understanding the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle in subtropical regions.
Zhengzheng Zhou, James A. Smith, Mary Lynn Baeck, Daniel B. Wright, Brianne K. Smith, and Shuguang Liu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 4701–4717, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4701-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4701-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The role of rainfall space–time structure in flood response is an important research issue in urban hydrology. This study contributes to this understanding in small urban watersheds. Combining stochastically based rainfall scenarios with a hydrological model, the results show the complexities of flood response for various return periods, implying the common assumptions of spatially uniform rainfall in urban flood frequency are problematic, even for relatively small basin scales.
Yair Rinat, Francesco Marra, Moshe Armon, Asher Metzger, Yoav Levi, Pavel Khain, Elyakom Vadislavsky, Marcelo Rosensaft, and Efrat Morin
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 917–939, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-917-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-917-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Flash floods are among the most devastating and lethal natural hazards worldwide. The study of such events is important as flash floods are poorly understood and documented processes, especially in deserts. A small portion of the studied basin (1 %–20 %) experienced extreme rainfall intensities resulting in local flash floods of high magnitudes. Flash floods started and reached their peak within tens of minutes. Forecasts poorly predicted the flash floods mostly due to location inaccuracy.
Moshe Armon, Francesco Marra, Yehouda Enzel, Dorita Rostkier-Edelstein, and Efrat Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1227–1249, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1227-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1227-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Heavy precipitation events (HPEs), occurring around the globe, lead to natural hazards as well as to water resource recharge. Rainfall patterns during HPEs vary from one case to another and govern their effect. Thus, correct prediction of these patterns is crucial for coping with HPEs. However, the ability of weather models to generate such patterns is unclear. Here, we characterise rainfall patterns during HPEs based on weather radar data and evaluate weather model simulations of these events.
Mattia Zaramella, Marco Borga, Davide Zoccatelli, and Luca Carturan
Geosci. Model Dev., 12, 5251–5265, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-5251-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-5251-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents TOPMELT, a parsimonious snowpack simulation model integrated into a basin-scale hydrological model. TOPMELT implements the full spatial distribution of clear-sky potential solar radiation by means of a statistical representation: this approach reduces computational burden, which is a key potential advantage when parameter sensitivity and uncertainty estimation procedures are carried out. The model is assessed by examining different resolutions of its domain.
William Amponsah, Pierre-Alain Ayral, Brice Boudevillain, Christophe Bouvier, Isabelle Braud, Pascal Brunet, Guy Delrieu, Jean-François Didon-Lescot, Eric Gaume, Laurent Lebouc, Lorenzo Marchi, Francesco Marra, Efrat Morin, Guillaume Nord, Olivier Payrastre, Davide Zoccatelli, and Marco Borga
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 10, 1783–1794, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-1783-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-1783-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The EuroMedeFF database comprises 49 events that occurred in France, Israel, Germany, Slovenia, Romania, and Italy. The dataset may be of help to hydrologists as well as other scientific communities because it offers benchmark data for the verification of flash flood hydrological models and for hydro-meteorological forecast systems. It provides, moreover, a sample of rainfall and flood discharge extremes in different climates.
Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis, Zhengzheng Zhou, Long Yang, Shuguang Liu, and James Smith
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 417–436, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-417-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-417-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The effect of storm scale and movement on runoff flows in urban catchments remains poorly understood due to the complexity of urban land use and man-made infrastructure. In this study, interactions among rainfall, urbanisation and peak flows were analyzed based on 15 years of radar rainfall and flow observations. We found that flow-path networks strongly smoothed rainfall peaks. Unexpectedly, the storm position relative to impervious cover within the basins had little effect on flow peaks.
Idit Belachsen, Francesco Marra, Nadav Peleg, and Efrat Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 5165–5180, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-5165-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-5165-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Spatiotemporal rainfall patterns in arid environments are not well-known. We derived properties of convective rain cells over the arid Dead Sea region from a long-term radar archive. We found differences in cell properties between synoptic systems and between flash-flood and non-flash-flood events. Large flash floods are associated with slow rain cells, directed downstream with the main catchment axis. Results from this work can be used for hydrological models and stochastic storm simulations.
Francesco Marra, Elisa Destro, Efthymios I. Nikolopoulos, Davide Zoccatelli, Jean Dominique Creutin, Fausto Guzzetti, and Marco Borga
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4525–4532, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4525-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4525-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Previous studies have reported a systematic underestimation of debris flow occurrence thresholds, due to the use of sparse networks in non-stationary rain fields. We analysed high-resolution radar data to show that spatially aggregated estimates (e.g. satellite data) largely reduce this issue, in light of a reduced estimation variance. Our findings are transferable to other situations in which lower envelope curves are used to predict point-like events in the presence of non-stationary fields.
Francesco Marra, Efrat Morin, Nadav Peleg, Yiwen Mei, and Emmanouil N. Anagnostou
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 2389–2404, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-2389-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-2389-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Rainfall frequency analyses from radar and satellite estimates over the eastern Mediterranean are compared examining different climatic conditions. Correlation between radar and satellite results is high for frequent events and decreases with return period. The uncertainty related to record length is larger for drier climates. The agreement between different sensors instills confidence on their use for rainfall frequency analysis in ungauged areas of the Earth.
N. Peleg, E. Shamir, K. P. Georgakakos, and E. Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 567–581, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-567-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-567-2015, 2015
N. Peleg, M. Ben-Asher, and E. Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 2195–2208, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-2195-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-2195-2013, 2013
E. Shamir, L. Ben-Moshe, A. Ronen, T. Grodek, Y. Enzel, K. P. Georgakakos, and E. Morin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 1021–1034, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-1021-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-1021-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Catchment hydrology | Techniques and Approaches: Theory development
Annual memory in the terrestrial water cycle
Can system dynamics explain long-term hydrological behaviors? The role of endogenous linking structure
Characterizing nonlinear, nonstationary, and heterogeneous hydrologic behavior using ensemble rainfall–runoff analysis (ERRA): proof of concept
The role of catchment characteristics, discharge, and active layer thaw on seasonal stream chemistry across ten permafrost catchments
Ratio limits of water storage and outflow in a rainfall–runoff process
Delayed Stormflow Generation in a Semi-humid Forested Watershed Controlled by Soil Water Storage and Groundwater
Technical Note: The divide and measure nonconformity – how metrics can mislead when we evaluate on different data partitions
Bimodal hydrographs in a semi-humid forested watershed: characteristics and occurrence conditions
Flood drivers and trends: a case study of the Geul River catchment (the Netherlands) over the past half century
Power law between the apparent drainage density and the pruning area
Causal relationships between vegetation productivity, water availability, and atmospheric dryness at the catchment scale
HESS Opinion: Floods and droughts – Land use, soil management, and landscape hydrology are more significant drivers than increasing temperatures
Stream water sourcing from high-elevation snowpack inferred from stable isotopes of water: a novel application of d-excess values
Elasticity curves describe streamflow sensitivity to precipitation across the entire flow distribution
Seasonal and interannual dissolved organic carbon transport process dynamics in a subarctic headwater catchment revealed by high-resolution measurements
Links between seasonal suprapermafrost groundwater, the hydrothermal change of the active layer, and river runoff in alpine permafrost watersheds
Technical note: Isotopic fractionation of evaporating waters: effect of sub-daily atmospheric variations and eventual depletion of heavy isotopes
Increased nonstationarity of stormflow threshold behaviors in a forested watershed due to abrupt earthquake disturbance
HESS Opinions: Are soils overrated in hydrology?
Hydrologic implications of projected changes in rain-on-snow melt for Great Lakes Basin watersheds
A hydrological framework for persistent pools along non-perennial rivers
Evidence-based requirements for perceptualising intercatchment groundwater flow in hydrological models
Droughts can reduce the nitrogen retention capacity of catchments
Explaining changes in rainfall–runoff relationships during and after Australia's Millennium Drought: a community perspective
Three hypotheses on changing river flood hazards
A multivariate-driven approach for disentangling the reduction in near-natural Iberian water resources post-1980
Hydrology and riparian forests drive carbon and nitrogen supply and DOC : NO3− stoichiometry along a headwater Mediterranean stream
Event controls on intermittent streamflow in a temperate climate
Inclusion of flood diversion canal operation in the H08 hydrological model with a case study from the Chao Phraya River basin: model development and validation
Flood generation: process patterns from the raindrop to the ocean
Use of streamflow indices to identify the catchment drivers of hydrographs
Theoretical and empirical evidence against the Budyko catchment trajectory conjecture
Spatial distribution of groundwater recharge, based on regionalised soil moisture models in Wadi Natuf karst aquifers, Palestine
Barriers to mainstream adoption of catchment-wide natural flood management: a transdisciplinary problem-framing study of delivery practice
Low hydrological connectivity after summer drought inhibits DOC export in a forested headwater catchment
Rainbow color map distorts and misleads research in hydrology – guidance for better visualizations and science communication
Attribution of growing season evapotranspiration variability considering snowmelt and vegetation changes in the arid alpine basins
Event and seasonal hydrologic connectivity patterns in an agricultural headwater catchment
Exploring the role of hydrological pathways in modulating multi-annual climate teleconnection periodicities from UK rainfall to streamflow
Technical note: “Bit by bit”: a practical and general approach for evaluating model computational complexity vs. model performance
Hillslope and groundwater contributions to streamflow in a Rocky Mountain watershed underlain by glacial till and fractured sedimentary bedrock
A framework for seasonal variations of hydrological model parameters: impact on model results and response to dynamic catchment characteristics
Hydrology and beyond: the scientific work of August Colding revisited
The influence of a prolonged meteorological drought on catchment water storage capacity: a hydrological-model perspective
Hydrological and runoff formation processes based on isotope tracing during ablation period in the source regions of Yangtze River
Importance of snowmelt contribution to seasonal runoff and summer low flows in Czechia
Concentration–discharge relationships vary among hydrological events, reflecting differences in event characteristics
Recession analysis revisited: impacts of climate on parameter estimation
Understanding the effects of climate warming on streamflow and active groundwater storage in an alpine catchment: the upper Lhasa River
Technical note: An improved discharge sensitivity metric for young water fractions
Wouter R. Berghuijs, Ross A. Woods, Bailey J. Anderson, Anna Luisa Hemshorn de Sánchez, and Markus Hrachowitz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 1319–1333, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1319-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1319-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Water balances of catchments will often strongly depend on their state in the recent past, but such memory effects may persist at annual timescales. We use global data sets to show that annual memory is typically absent in precipitation but strong in terrestrial water stores and also present in evaporation and streamflow (including low flows and floods). Our experiments show that hysteretic models provide behaviour that is consistent with these observed memory behaviours.
Xinyao Zhou, Zhuping Sheng, Kiril Manevski, Rongtian Zhao, Qingzhou Zhang, Yanmin Yang, Shumin Han, Jinghong Liu, and Yonghui Yang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 159–177, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-159-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-159-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Conventional hydrological models erratically replicate slow hydrological dynamics, necessitating model modification and paradigm shift in hydrological science. The system dynamics approach successfully explains patterns of slow hydrological behaviors at inter-annual and decadal scales by dividing a hydrological system into different hierarchies and building endogenous linking structure among stocks. In spite of the simplicity, it holds potential to integrate hydrological behaviors across scales.
James W. Kirchner
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4427–4454, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4427-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4427-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Here, I present a new way to quantify how streamflow responds to rainfall across a range of timescales. This approach can estimate how different rainfall intensities affect streamflow. It can also quantify how runoff response to rainfall varies, depending on how wet the landscape already is before the rain falls. This may help us to understand processes and landscape properties that regulate streamflow and to assess the susceptibility of different landscapes to flooding.
Arsh Grewal, Erin M. Nicholls, and Sean K. Carey
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2645, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2645, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Stream chemistry in permafrost watersheds is highly seasonal. This variability can be driven by the seasonal thawing of the active layer (the layer of soil above the permafrost that thaws each year) or by streamflow (streamflow is typically highest during snowmelt). In this paper, we disentangle the influence of active layer thaw and streamflow on the seasonality of stream chemistry. We found that topography and the extent of permafrost are key factors controlling the degree of this seasonality.
Yulong Zhu, Yang Zhou, Xiaorong Xu, Changqing Meng, and Yuankun Wang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4251–4261, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4251-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4251-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A timely local flood forecast is an effective way to reduce casualties and economic losses. The current theoretical or numerical models play an important role in local flood forecasting. However, they still cannot bridge the contradiction between high calculation accuracy, high calculation efficiency, and simple operability. Therefore, this paper expects to propose a new flood forecasting model with higher computational efficiency and simpler operation.
Zhen Cui and Fuqiang Tian
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2177, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2177, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates stormflow patterns in a forested watershed in North China, revealing that delayed stormflow is influenced by soil water content and groundwater levels. When soil moisture exceeds its storage capacity, excess water recharges groundwater, which then flows into streams more slowly. As groundwater levels rise, they enhance water movement and connectivity, causing a delayed stormflow peak to merge with the direct stormflow peak.
Daniel Klotz, Martin Gauch, Frederik Kratzert, Grey Nearing, and Jakob Zscheischler
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 3665–3673, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3665-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The evaluation of model performance is essential for hydrological modeling. Using performance criteria requires a deep understanding of their properties. We focus on a counterintuitive aspect of the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and show that if we divide the data into multiple parts, the overall performance can be higher than all the evaluations of the subsets. Although this follows from the definition of the NSE, the resulting behavior can have unintended consequences in practice.
Zhen Cui, Fuqiang Tian, Zilong Zhao, Zitong Xu, Yongjie Duan, Jie Wen, and Mohd Yawar Ali Khan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 3613–3632, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3613-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3613-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the response characteristics and occurrence conditions of bimodal hydrographs using 10 years of hydrometric and isotope data in a semi-humid forested watershed in north China. Our findings indicate that bimodal hydrographs occur when the combined total of the event rainfall and antecedent soil moisture index exceeds 200 mm. Additionally, we determined that delayed stormflow is primarily contributed to by shallow groundwater.
Athanasios Tsiokanos, Martine Rutten, Ruud J. van der Ent, and Remko Uijlenhoet
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 3327–3345, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3327-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3327-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We focus on past high-flow events to find flood drivers in the Geul. We also explore flood drivers’ trends across various timescales and develop a new method to detect the main direction of a trend. Our results show that extreme 24 h precipitation alone is typically insufficient to cause floods. The combination of extreme rainfall and wet initial conditions determines the chance of flooding. Precipitation that leads to floods increases in winter, whereas no consistent trends are found in summer.
Soohyun Yang, Kwanghun Choi, and Kyungrock Paik
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 3119–3132, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3119-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-3119-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In extracting a river network from a digital elevation model, an arbitrary pruning area should be specified. As this value grows, the apparent drainage density is reduced following a power function. This reflects the fractal topographic nature. We prove this relationship related to the known power law in the exceedance probability distribution of drainage area. The power-law exponent is expressed with fractal dimensions. Our findings are supported by analysis of 14 real river networks.
Guta Wakbulcho Abeshu, Hong-Yi Li, Mingjie Shi, and Ruby Leung
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1748, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1748, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study examined how water availability, climate dryness, and plant productivity interact at the catchment scale. Using various indices and statistical methods, it found a 0–2-month lag in these interactions. Strong correlations during peak productivity months were observed, with a notable hysteresis effect in vegetation response to changes in water availability and climate dryness. The findings help better understand catchment responses to climate variability.
Karl Auerswald, Juergen Geist, John N. Quinton, and Peter Fiener
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1702, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1702, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Floods, droughts, and heatwaves are increasing globally. This is often attributed to CO2-driven climate change. However, at the global scale, CO2-driven climate change neither reduces precipitation nor adequately explains droughts. Land-use change, particularly soil sealing, compaction, and drainage, are likely more significant for water losses by runoff leading to flooding and water scarcity and are therefore an important part the solution to mitigate floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
Matthias Sprenger, Rosemary W. H. Carroll, David Marchetti, Carleton Bern, Harsh Beria, Wendy Brown, Alexander Newman, Curtis Beutler, and Kenneth H. Williams
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1711–1723, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1711-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1711-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Stable isotopes of water (described as d-excess) in mountain snowpack can be used to infer proportions of high-elevation snowmelt in stream water. In a Colorado River headwater catchment, nearly half of the water during peak streamflow is derived from melted snow at elevations greater than 3200 m. High-elevation snowpack contributions were higher for years with lower snowpack and warmer spring temperatures. Thus, we suggest that d-excess could serve to assess high-elevation snowpack changes.
Bailey J. Anderson, Manuela I. Brunner, Louise J. Slater, and Simon J. Dadson
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1567–1583, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1567-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1567-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Elasticityrefers to how much the amount of water in a river changes with precipitation. We usually calculate this using average streamflow values; however, the amount of water within rivers is also dependent on stored water sources. Here, we look at how elasticity varies across the streamflow distribution and show that not only do low and high streamflows respond differently to precipitation change, but also these differences vary with water storage availability.
Danny Croghan, Pertti Ala-Aho, Jeffrey Welker, Kaisa-Riikka Mustonen, Kieran Khamis, David M. Hannah, Jussi Vuorenmaa, Bjørn Kløve, and Hannu Marttila
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 1055–1070, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1055-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-1055-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from land into streams is changing due to climate change. We used a multi-year dataset of DOC and predictors of DOC in a subarctic stream to find out how transport of DOC varied between seasons and between years. We found that the way DOC is transported varied strongly seasonally, but year-to-year differences were less apparent. We conclude that the mechanisms of transport show a higher degree of interannual consistency than previously thought.
Jia Qin, Yongjian Ding, Faxiang Shi, Junhao Cui, Yaping Chang, Tianding Han, and Qiudong Zhao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 973–987, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-973-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-973-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The linkage between the seasonal hydrothermal change of active layer, suprapermafrost groundwater, and surface runoff, which has been regarded as a “black box” in hydrological analyses and simulations, is a bottleneck problem in permafrost hydrological studies. Based on field observations, this study identifies seasonal variations and causes of suprapermafrost groundwater. The linkages and framework of watershed hydrology responding to the freeze–thaw of the active layer also are explored.
Francesc Gallart, Sebastián González-Fuentes, and Pilar Llorens
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 229–239, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-229-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-229-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Normally, lighter oxygen and hydrogen isotopes are preferably evaporated from a water body, which becomes enriched in heavy isotopes. However, we observed that, in a water body subject to prolonged evaporation, some periods of heavy isotope depletion instead of enrichment happened. Furthermore, the usual models that describe the isotopy of evaporating waters may be in error if the atmospheric conditions of temperature and relative humidity are time-averaged instead of evaporation flux-weighted.
Guotao Zhang, Peng Cui, Carlo Gualtieri, Nazir Ahmed Bazai, Xueqin Zhang, and Zhengtao Zhang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3005–3020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3005-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3005-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study used identified stormflow thresholds as a diagnostic tool to characterize abrupt variations in catchment emergent patterns pre- and post-earthquake. Earthquake-induced landslides with spatial heterogeneity and temporally undulating recovery increase the hydrologic nonstationary; thus, large post-earthquake floods are more likely to occur. This study contributes to mitigation and adaptive strategies for unpredictable hydrologic regimes triggered by abrupt natural disturbances.
Hongkai Gao, Fabrizio Fenicia, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 2607–2620, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2607-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2607-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
It is a deeply rooted perception that soil is key in hydrology. In this paper, we argue that it is the ecosystem, not the soil, that is in control of hydrology. Firstly, in nature, the dominant flow mechanism is preferential, which is not particularly related to soil properties. Secondly, the ecosystem, not the soil, determines the land–surface water balance and hydrological processes. Moving from a soil- to ecosystem-centred perspective allows more realistic and simpler hydrological models.
Daniel T. Myers, Darren L. Ficklin, and Scott M. Robeson
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1755–1770, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1755-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1755-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We projected climate change impacts to rain-on-snow (ROS) melt events in the Great Lakes Basin. Decreases in snowpack limit future ROS melt. Areas with mean winter/spring air temperatures near freezing are most sensitive to ROS changes. The projected proportion of total monthly snowmelt from ROS decreases. The timing for ROS melt is projected to be 2 weeks earlier by the mid-21st century and affects spring streamflow. This could affect freshwater resources management.
Sarah A. Bourke, Margaret Shanafield, Paul Hedley, Sarah Chapman, and Shawan Dogramaci
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 809–836, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-809-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-809-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Here we present a hydrological framework for understanding the mechanisms supporting the persistence of water in pools along non-perennial rivers. Pools may collect water after rainfall events, be supported by water stored within the river channel sediments, or receive inflows from regional groundwater. These hydraulic mechanisms can be identified using a range of diagnostic tools (critiqued herein). We then apply this framework in north-west Australia to demonstrate its value.
Louisa D. Oldham, Jim Freer, Gemma Coxon, Nicholas Howden, John P. Bloomfield, and Christopher Jackson
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 761–781, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-761-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-761-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Water can move between river catchments via the subsurface, termed intercatchment groundwater flow (IGF). We show how a perceptual model of IGF can be developed with relatively simple geological interpretation and data requirements. We find that IGF dynamics vary in space, correlated to the dominant underlying geology. We recommend that IGF
loss functionsmay be used in conceptual rainfall–runoff models but should be supported by perceptualisation of IGF processes and connectivities.
Carolin Winter, Tam V. Nguyen, Andreas Musolff, Stefanie R. Lutz, Michael Rode, Rohini Kumar, and Jan H. Fleckenstein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 303–318, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-303-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The increasing frequency of severe and prolonged droughts threatens our freshwater resources. While we understand drought impacts on water quantity, its effects on water quality remain largely unknown. Here, we studied the impact of the unprecedented 2018–2019 drought in Central Europe on nitrate export in a heterogeneous mesoscale catchment in Germany. We show that severe drought can reduce a catchment's capacity to retain nitrogen, intensifying the internal pollution and export of nitrate.
Keirnan Fowler, Murray Peel, Margarita Saft, Tim J. Peterson, Andrew Western, Lawrence Band, Cuan Petheram, Sandra Dharmadi, Kim Seong Tan, Lu Zhang, Patrick Lane, Anthony Kiem, Lucy Marshall, Anne Griebel, Belinda E. Medlyn, Dongryeol Ryu, Giancarlo Bonotto, Conrad Wasko, Anna Ukkola, Clare Stephens, Andrew Frost, Hansini Gardiya Weligamage, Patricia Saco, Hongxing Zheng, Francis Chiew, Edoardo Daly, Glen Walker, R. Willem Vervoort, Justin Hughes, Luca Trotter, Brad Neal, Ian Cartwright, and Rory Nathan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 6073–6120, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6073-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6073-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Recently, we have seen multi-year droughts tending to cause shifts in the relationship between rainfall and streamflow. In shifted catchments that have not recovered, an average rainfall year produces less streamflow today than it did pre-drought. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to understand why these shifts occur, focusing on Australia's over-10-year Millennium Drought. We evaluate multiple hypotheses against evidence, with particular focus on the key role of groundwater processes.
Günter Blöschl
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5015–5033, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5015-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5015-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
There is serious concern that river floods are increasing. Starting from explanations discussed in public, the article addresses three hypotheses: land-use change, hydraulic structures, and climate change increase floods. This review finds that all three changes have the potential to not only increase floods, but also to reduce them. It is crucial to consider all three factors of change in flood risk management and communicate them to the general public in a nuanced way.
Amar Halifa-Marín, Miguel A. Torres-Vázquez, Enrique Pravia-Sarabia, Marc Lemus-Canovas, Pedro Jiménez-Guerrero, and Juan Pedro Montávez
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4251–4263, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4251-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4251-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Near-natural Iberian water resources have suddenly decreased since the 1980s. These declines have been promoted by the weakening (enhancement) of wintertime precipitation (the NAOi) in the most humid areas, whereas afforestation and drought intensification have played a crucial role in semi-arid areas. Future water management would benefit from greater knowledge of North Atlantic climate variability and reforestation/afforestation processes in semi-arid catchments.
José L. J. Ledesma, Anna Lupon, Eugènia Martí, and Susana Bernal
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4209–4232, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4209-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4209-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We studied a small stream located in a Mediterranean forest. Our goal was to understand how stream flow and the presence of riparian forests, which grow in flat banks near the stream, influence the availability of food for aquatic microorganisms. High flows were associated with higher amounts of food because rainfall episodes transfer it from the surrounding sources, particularly riparian forests, to the stream. Understanding how ecosystems work is essential to better manage natural resources.
Nils Hinrich Kaplan, Theresa Blume, and Markus Weiler
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2671–2696, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2671-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2671-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study is analyses how characteristics of precipitation events and soil moisture and temperature dynamics during these events can be used to model the associated streamflow responses in intermittent streams. The models are used to identify differences between the dominant controls of streamflow intermittency in three distinct geologies of the Attert catchment, Luxembourg. Overall, soil moisture was found to be the most important control of intermittent streamflow in all geologies.
Saritha Padiyedath Gopalan, Adisorn Champathong, Thada Sukhapunnaphan, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Naota Hanasaki
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2541–2560, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2541-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2541-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The modelling of diversion canals using hydrological models is important because they play crucial roles in water management. Therefore, we developed a simplified canal diversion scheme and implemented it into the H08 global hydrological model. The developed diversion scheme was validated in the Chao Phraya River basin, Thailand. Region-specific validation results revealed that the H08 model with the diversion scheme could effectively simulate the observed flood diversion pattern in the basin.
Günter Blöschl
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2469–2480, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2469-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2469-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Sound understanding of how floods come about allows for the development of more reliable flood management tools that assist in mitigating their negative impacts. This article reviews river flood generation processes and flow paths across space scales, starting from water movement in the soil pores and moving up to hillslopes, catchments, regions and entire continents. To assist model development, there is a need to learn from observed patterns of flood generation processes at all spatial scales.
Jeenu Mathai and Pradeep P. Mujumdar
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2019–2033, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2019-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2019-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
With availability of large samples of data in catchments, it is necessary to develop indices that describe the streamflow processes. This paper describes new indices applicable for the rising and falling limbs of streamflow hydrographs. The indices provide insights into the drivers of the hydrographs. The novelty of the work is on differentiating hydrographs by their time irreversibility property and offering an alternative way to recognize primary drivers of streamflow hydrographs.
Nathan G. F. Reaver, David A. Kaplan, Harald Klammler, and James W. Jawitz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 1507–1525, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1507-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1507-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Budyko curve emerges globally from the behavior of multiple catchments. Single-parameter Budyko equations extrapolate the curve concept to individual catchments, interpreting curves and parameters as representing climatic and biophysical impacts on water availability, respectively. We tested these two key components theoretically and empirically, finding that catchments are not required to follow Budyko curves and usually do not, implying the parametric framework lacks predictive ability.
Clemens Messerschmid and Amjad Aliewi
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 1043–1061, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1043-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-1043-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Temporal distribution of groundwater recharge has been widely studied; yet, much less attention has been paid to its spatial distribution. Based on a previous study of field-measured and modelled formation-specific recharge in the Mediterranean, this paper differentiates annual recharge coefficients in a novel approach and basin classification framework for physical features such as lithology, soil and LU/LC characteristics, applicable also in other previously ungauged basins around the world.
Thea Wingfield, Neil Macdonald, Kimberley Peters, and Jack Spees
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 6239–6259, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6239-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6239-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Human activities are causing greater and more frequent floods. Natural flood management (NFM) uses processes of the water cycle to slow the flow of rainwater, bringing together land and water management. Despite NFM's environmental and social benefits, it is yet to be widely adopted. Two environmental practitioner groups collaborated to produce a picture of the barriers to delivery, showing that there is a perceived lack of support from government and the public for NFM.
Katharina Blaurock, Burkhard Beudert, Benjamin S. Gilfedder, Jan H. Fleckenstein, Stefan Peiffer, and Luisa Hopp
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 5133–5151, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5133-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-5133-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important part of the global carbon cycle with regards to carbon storage, greenhouse gas emissions and drinking water treatment. In this study, we compared DOC export of a small, forested catchment during precipitation events after dry and wet preconditions. We found that the DOC export from areas that are usually important for DOC export was inhibited after long drought periods.
Michael Stoelzle and Lina Stein
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 4549–4565, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4549-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4549-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We found with a scientific paper survey (~ 1000 papers) that 45 % of the papers used rainbow color maps or red–green visualizations. Those rainbow visualizations, although attracting the media's attention, will not be accessible for up to 10 % of people due to color vision deficiency. The rainbow color map distorts and misleads scientific communication. The study gives guidance on how to avoid, improve and trust color and how the flaws of the rainbow color map should be communicated in science.
Tingting Ning, Zhi Li, Qi Feng, Zongxing Li, and Yanyan Qin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 3455–3469, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3455-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3455-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Previous studies decomposed ET variance in precipitation, potential ET, and total water storage changes based on Budyko equations. However, the effects of snowmelt and vegetation changes have not been incorporated in snow-dependent basins. We thus extended this method in arid alpine basins of northwest China and found that ET variance is primarily controlled by rainfall, followed by coupled rainfall and vegetation. The out-of-phase seasonality between rainfall and snowmelt weaken ET variance.
Lovrenc Pavlin, Borbála Széles, Peter Strauss, Alfred Paul Blaschke, and Günter Blöschl
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2327–2352, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2327-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2327-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We compared the dynamics of streamflow, groundwater and soil moisture to investigate how different parts of an agricultural catchment in Lower Austria are connected. Groundwater is best connected around the stream and worse uphill, where groundwater is deeper. Soil moisture connectivity increases with increasing catchment wetness but is not influenced by spatial position in the catchment. Groundwater is more connected to the stream on the seasonal scale compared to the event scale.
William Rust, Mark Cuthbert, John Bloomfield, Ron Corstanje, Nicholas Howden, and Ian Holman
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 2223–2237, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2223-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2223-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we find evidence for the cyclical behaviour (on a 7-year basis) in UK streamflow records that match the main cycle of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Furthermore, we find that the strength of these 7-year cycles in streamflow is dependent on proportional contributions from groundwater and the response times of the underlying groundwater systems. This may allow for improvements to water management practices through better understanding of long-term streamflow behaviour.
Elnaz Azmi, Uwe Ehret, Steven V. Weijs, Benjamin L. Ruddell, and Rui A. P. Perdigão
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1103–1115, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1103-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1103-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Computer models should be as simple as possible but not simpler. Simplicity refers to the length of the model and the effort it takes the model to generate its output. Here we present a practical technique for measuring the latter by the number of memory visits during model execution by
Strace, a troubleshooting and monitoring program. The advantage of this approach is that it can be applied to any computer-based model, which facilitates model intercomparison.
Sheena A. Spencer, Axel E. Anderson, Uldis Silins, and Adrian L. Collins
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 237–255, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-237-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-237-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We used unique chemical signatures of precipitation, hillslope soil water, and groundwater sources of streamflow to explore seasonal variation in runoff generation in a snow-dominated mountain watershed underlain by glacial till and permeable bedrock. Reacted hillslope water reached the stream first at the onset of snowmelt, followed by a dilution effect by snowmelt from May to June. Groundwater and riparian water were important sources later in the summer. Till created complex subsurface flow.
Tian Lan, Kairong Lin, Chong-Yu Xu, Zhiyong Liu, and Huayang Cai
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 5859–5874, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-5859-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-5859-2020, 2020
Dan Rosbjerg
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4575–4585, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4575-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4575-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
August Colding contributed the first law of thermodynamics, evaporation from water and grass, steady free surfaces in conduits, the cross-sectional velocity distribution in conduits, a complete theory for the Gulf Stream, air speed in cyclones, the piezometric surface in confined aquifers, the unconfined elliptic water table in soil between drain pipes, and the wind-induced set-up in the sea during storms.
Zhengke Pan, Pan Liu, Chong-Yu Xu, Lei Cheng, Jing Tian, Shujie Cheng, and Kang Xie
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4369–4387, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4369-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4369-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This study aims to identify the response of catchment water storage capacity (CWSC) to meteorological drought by examining the changes of hydrological-model parameters after drought events. This study improves our understanding of possible changes in the CWSC induced by a prolonged meteorological drought, which will help improve our ability to simulate the hydrological system under climate change.
Zong-Jie Li, Zong-Xing Li, Ling-Ling Song, Juan Gui, Jian Xue, Bai Juan Zhang, and Wen De Gao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4169–4187, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4169-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4169-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This study mainly explores the hydraulic relations, recharge–drainage relations and their transformation paths, and the processes of each water body. It determines the composition of runoff, quantifies the contribution of each runoff component to different types of tributaries, and analyzes the hydrological effects of the temporal and spatial variation in runoff components. More importantly, we discuss the hydrological significance of permafrost and hydrological processes.
Michal Jenicek and Ondrej Ledvinka
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 3475–3491, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-3475-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-3475-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Changes in snow affect the runoff seasonality, including summer low flows. Here we analyse this effect in 59 mountain catchments in Czechia. We show that snow is more effective in generating runoff compared to rain. Snow-poor years generated lower groundwater recharge than snow-rich years, which resulted in higher deficit volumes in summer. The lower recharge and runoff in the case of a snowfall-to-rain transition due to air temperature increase might be critical for water supply in the future.
Julia L. A. Knapp, Jana von Freyberg, Bjørn Studer, Leonie Kiewiet, and James W. Kirchner
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2561–2576, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2561-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2561-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Changes of stream water chemistry in response to discharge changes provide important insights into the storage and release of water from the catchment. Here we investigate the variability in concentration–discharge relationships among different solutes and hydrologic events and relate it to catchment conditions and dominant water sources.
Elizabeth R. Jachens, David E. Rupp, Clément Roques, and John S. Selker
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1159–1170, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1159-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1159-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Recession analysis uses the receding streamflow following precipitation events to estimate watershed-average properties. Two methods for recession analysis use recession events individually or all events collectively. Using synthetic case studies, this paper shows that analyzing recessions collectively produces flawed interpretations. Moving forward, recession analysis using individual recessions should be used to describe the average and variability of watershed behavior.
Lu Lin, Man Gao, Jintao Liu, Jiarong Wang, Shuhong Wang, Xi Chen, and Hu Liu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1145–1157, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1145-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1145-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, recession flow analysis – assuming nonlinearized outflow from aquifers into streams – was used to quantify active groundwater storage in a headwater catchment with high glacierization and large-scale frozen ground on the Tibetan Plateau. Hence, this work provides a perspective to clarify the impact of glacial retreat and frozen ground degradation due to climate change on hydrological processes.
Francesc Gallart, Jana von Freyberg, María Valiente, James W. Kirchner, Pilar Llorens, and Jérôme Latron
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1101–1107, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1101-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1101-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
How catchments store and release rain or melting water is still not well known. Now, it is broadly accepted that most of the water in streams is older than several months, and a relevant part may be many years old. But the age of water depends on the stream regime, being usually younger during high flows. This paper tries to provide tools for better analysing how the age of waters varies with flow in a catchment and for comparing the behaviour of catchments diverging in climate, size and regime.
Cited articles
Abrahams, A. D. and Parsons, A. J.: Relation between infiltration and stone
cover on a semiarid hillslope, southern Arizona, J. Hydrol., 122,
49–59, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(91)90171-D, 1991. a
Amponsah, W., Marchi, L., Zoccatelli, D., Boni, G., Cavalli, M., Comiti, F.,
Crema, S., Lucía, A., Marra, F., and Borga, M.:
Hydrometeorological characterization of a flash flood associated with major
geomorphic effects: Assessment of peak discharge uncertainties and analysis
of the runoff response, J. Hydrometeorol., 17, 3063–3077,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-16-0081.1, 2016. a
Amponsah, W., Ayral, P.-A., Boudevillain, B., Bouvier, C., Braud, I., Brunet,
P., Delrieu, G., Didon-Lescot, J.-F., Gaume, E., Lebouc, L., Marchi, L.,
Marra, F., Morin, E., Nord, G., Payrastre, O., Zoccatelli, D., and Borga, M.:
Integrated high-resolution dataset of high-intensity European and
Mediterranean flash floods, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 10, 1783–1794,
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-1783-2018, 2018. a
Armon, M., Dente, E., Smith, J. A., Enzel, Y., and Morin, E.: Synoptic-scale
control over modern rainfall and flood patterns in the Levant drylands with
implications for past climates, J. Hydrometeorol., 19, 1077–1096, https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-18-0013.1,
2018. a
Arnold, J. G. and Allen, P. M.: Automated methods for estimating baseflow and
groundwater recharge from streamflow records, J. Am. Water
Resour. As., 35, 411–424,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1999.tb03599.x, 1999. a
Bahat, Y., Grodek, T., Lekach, J., and Morin, E.: Rainfall-runoff modeling in
a small hyper-arid catchment, J. Hydrol., 373, 204–217,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.04.026, 2009. a
Belachsen, I., Marra, F., Peleg, N., and Morin, E.: Convective rainfall in a dry climate: relations with synoptic systems
and flash-flood generation in the Dead Sea region, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 5165–5180, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-5165-2017, 2017. a, b, c
Ben-Zvi, A., Massoth, S., and Schick, A. P.: Travel time of runoff crests in
Israel, J. Hydrol., 122, 309–320,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(91)90185-K, 1991. a
Bergkamp, G.: A hierarchical view of the interactions of runoff and
infiltration with vegetation and microtopography in semiarid shrublands,
Catena, 33, 201–220, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(98)00092-7, 1998. a
Beven, K. J.: Rainfall-runoff modelling: the primer, Rainfall-Runoff Modelling: The Primer, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester,
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119951001, 2012. a
Bracken, L. J., Cox, N. J., and Shannon, J.: The relationship between rainfall
inputs and flood generation in south-east Spain, Hydrol. Process., 22,
683–696, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6641, 2008. a
Cantón, Y., Solé-Benet, A., de Vente, J., Boix-Fayos, C.,
Calvo-Cases, A., Asensio, C., and Puigdefábregas, J.: A review of
runoff generation and soil erosion across scales in semiarid south-eastern
Spain, J. Arid Environ., 75, 1254–1261,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.03.004, 2011. a, b, c, d, e
Castillo, V. M., Gómez-Plaza, A., and Martínez-Mena, M.: The role
of antecedent soil water content in the runoff response of semiarid
catchments: A simulation approach, J. Hydrol., 284, 114–130,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(03)00264-6, 2003. a
Cherlet, M., Hutchinson, C., Reynolds, J., Hill, J., Sommer, S., and von
Maltitz, G.: World Atlas of Desertification, Publication Office of the
European Union, Luxembourg, 3rd edn., https://doi.org/10.2760/9205, 2018. a
Costa, J. E.: Hydraulics and basin morphometry of the largest flash floods in
the conterminous United States, J. Hydrol., 93, 313–338,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(87)90102-8, 1987. a
Dayan, U., Ricaud, P., Zbinden, R., and Dulac, F.: Atmospheric pollution over
the eastern Mediterranean during summer – a review, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17,
13233–13263, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13233-2017, 2017. a
De Vries, A. J., Tyrlis, E., Edry, D., Krichak, S. O., Steil, B., and
Lelieveld, J.: Extreme precipitation events in the Middle East: Dynamics of
the Active Red Sea Trough, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118,
7087–7108, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50569, 2013. a
Di Baldassarre, G. and Montanari, A.: Uncertainty in river discharge
observations: a quantitative analysis, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 13,
913–921, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-13-913-2009, 2009. a
Dunkerley, D. L.: Surface stone cover on desert hillslopes; parameterizing
characteristics relevant to infiltration and surface runoff, Earth Surf.
Proc. Land., 20, 207–218, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290200303, 1995. a
Dunne, T., Zhang, W., and Aubry, B. F.: Effects of Rainfall, Vegetation, and
Microtopography on Infiltration and Runoff, Water Resour. Res., 27,
2271–2285, https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR01585, 1991. a
Farquharson, F., Meigh, J., and Sutcliffe, J.: Regional flood frequency
analysis in arid and semi-arid areas, J. Hydrol., 138, 487–501,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(92)90132-F, 1992. a
Faurès, J. M., Goodrich, D. C., Woolhiser, D. A., and Sorooshian, S.:
Impact of small-scale spatial rainfall variability on runoff modeling,
J. Hydrol., 173, 309–326, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(95)02704-S,
1995. a
Feng, S. and Fu, Q.: Expansion of global drylands under a warming climate,
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 10081–10094,
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-10081-2013, 2013. a
Fiener, P. and Auerswald, K.: Spatial variability of rainfall on a
sub-kilometre scale, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 34, 848–859,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1779, 2009. a
Francis, C. F. and Thornes, J. B.: Runoff hydrographs from three Mediterranean
vegetation cover types, Vegetation and erosion, Processes and Environments,
363–384, 1990. a
Goldreich, Y.: The spatial distribution of annual rainfall in Israel – a
review, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 50, 45–59,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00864902, 1994. a
Goldreich, Y.: The climate of Israel: observation, research and
application,
Springer, 2003. a
Goodrich, D. C., Chehbouni, A., Goff, B., MacNish, B., Maddock, T., Moran, S.,
Shuttleworth, W. J., Williams, D. G., Watts, C., Hipps, L. H., Cooper, D. I.,
Schieldge, J., Kerr, Y. H., Arias, H., Kirkland, M., Carlos, R., Cayrol, P.,
Kepner, W., Jones, B., Avissar, R., Begue, A., Bonnefond, J. M., Boulet, G.,
Branan, B., Brunel, J. P., Chen, L. C., Clarke, T., Davis, M. R., DeBruin,
H., Dedieu, G., Elguero, E., Eichinger, W. E., Everitt, J., Garatuza-Payan,
J., Gempko, V. L., Gupta, H., Harlow, C., Hartogensis, O., Helfert, M.,
Holifield, C., Hymer, D., Kahle, A., Keefer, T., Krishnamoorthy, S., Lhomme,
J. P., Lagouarde, J. P., Lo Seen, D., Luquet, D., Marsett, R., Monteny, B.,
Ni, W., Nouvellon, Y., Pinker, R., Peters, C., Pool, D., Qi, J., Rambal, S.,
Rodriguez, J., Santiago, F., Sano, E., Schaeffer, S. M., Schulte, M., Scott,
R., Shao, X., Snyder, K. A., Sorooshian, S., Unkrich, C. L., Whitaker, M.,
and Yucel, I.: Preface paper to the Semi-Arid Land-Surface-Atmosphere
(SALSA) Program special issue, Agr. Forest Meteorol.,
105, 3–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1923(00)00178-7, 2000. a
Graf, W.: Fluvial Processes Dryland Rivers, Springer-Verlag, New York,
1988. a
Greenbaum, N., Ben-Zvi, A., Haviv, I., and Enzel, Y.: The hydrology and
paleohydrology of the Dead Sea tributaries, Geol. Soc. Am.
S., 401, 63–93, https://doi.org/10.1130/2006.2401(05),
2006. a
Grodek, T., Jacoby, Y., Morin, E., and Katz, O.: Effectiveness of exceptional
rainstorms on a small Mediterranean basin, Geomorphology, 159–160, 156–168,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.03.016, 2012. a
HilleRisLambers, R., Rietkerk, M., van den Bosch, F., Prins, H. H. T., and
de Kroon, H.: Vegetation Pattern Formation in Semi-Arid Grazing Systems,
Ecology, 82, 50–61, https://doi.org/10.2307/2680085, 2001. a
Hughes, D. A.: Modelling semi-arid and arid hydrology and water resources: The
Southern African experience, Hydrological Modelling in Arid and
Semi-Arid Areas, 29–40, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535734.004, 2007. a
Israeli Hydrological Service: Annual hydrological report for Israel 2013/2014,
Jerusalem, 2016 (in Hebrew). a
Tongway, D. J. and Ludwig, J. A.:
Small-scale resource heterogeneity in
semi-arid landscapes, Pacific Conservation Biology, 1, 201–208,
https://doi.org/10.1071/PC940201, 1994. a
Kahana, R., Ziv, B., Enzel, Y., and Dayan, U.: Synoptic climatology of major
floods in the Negev Desert, Israel, Int. J. Climatol.,
22, 867–882, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.766, 2002. a, b
Katz, R. W., Parlange, M. B., and Naveau, P.: Statistics of extremes in
hydrology, Adv. Water Resour., 25, 1287–1304,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1708(02)00056-8, 2002. a
Keppel, R. and Renard, K.: Transmission losses in ephemeral stream beds,
J. Hydr. Eng. Div.-ASCE, 88, 59–68,
1962. a
Kirkby, M. J., Bracken, L. J., and Shannon, J.: The influence of rainfall
distribution and morphological factors on runoff delivery from dryland
catchments in SE Spain, Catena, 62, 136–156,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2005.05.002, 2005. a
Kite, G. W. and Pietroniro, A.: Remote sensing applications in hydrological
modelling, Hydrolog. Sci. J., 41, 563–591,
https://doi.org/10.1080/02626669609491526,
1996. a
Köppen, W.: Das geographisca System der Klimate, in: Handbuch der
Klimatologie, 1–44, 1936. a
Ludwig, J. A. and Tongway, D. J.: Spatial organisation of landscapes and its
function in semi-arid woodlands, Australia, Landscape Ecol., 10, 51–63,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00158553, 1995. a
Marchamalo, M., Hooke, J. M., and Sandercock, P. J.: Flow and Sediment
Connectivity in Semi-arid Landscapes in SE Spain: Patterns and Controls,
Land Degrad. Dev., 27, 1032–1044, https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2352,
2016. a, b
Marchi, L., Borga, M., Preciso, E., and Gaume, E.: Characterisation of
selected extreme flash floods in Europe and implications for flood risk
management, J. Hydrol., 394, 118–133,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.07.017, 2010. a, b, c, d
Marra, F. and Morin, E.: Autocorrelation structure of convective rainfall in
semiarid-arid climate derived from high-resolution X-Band radar estimates,
Atmos. Res., 200, 126–138, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.09.020,
2018. a
Martínez-Mena, M., Albaladejo, J., and Castillo, V. M.: Factors
influencing surface runoff generation in a Mediterranean semi-arid
environment: Chicamo watershed, SE Spain, Hydrol. Process., 12,
741–754,
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(19980430)12:5<741::AID-HYP622>3.0.CO;2-F, 1998. a
McDermott, G. E. and Pilgrim, D. H.: A design flood method for arid western
New South Wales based on bankfull estimates, Civil Engineering Transactions,
25, 114–120, 1983. a
Meirovich, L., Ben-Zvi, A., Shentsis, I., and Yanovich, E.: Frequency and
magnitude of runoff events in the arid Negev of Israel, J. Hydrol.,
207, 204–219, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(98)00135-8, 1998. a
Morin, E. and Yakir, H.: Hydrological impact and potential flooding of
convective rain cells in a semi-arid environment, Hydrolog. Sci.
J., 59, 1353–1362, https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.841315,
2014. a, b
Morin, E., Goodrich, D. C., Maddox, R. A., Gao, X., Gupta, H. V., and
Sorooshian, S.: Spatial patterns in thunderstorm rainfall events and their
coupling with watershed hydrological response, Adv. Water Resour.,
29, 843–860, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2005.07.014, 2006. a
Morin, E., Grodek, T., Dahan, O., Benito, G., Kulls, C., Jacoby, Y.,
Langenhove, G. V., Seely, M., and Enzel, Y.: Flood routing and alluvial
aquifer recharge along the ephemeral arid Kuiseb River, Namibia, J. Hydrol., 368, 262–275,
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHYDROL.2009.02.015,
2009a. a
Morin, E., Jacoby, Y., Navon, S., and Bet-Halachmi, E.: Towards flash-flood
prediction in the dry Dead Sea region utilizing radar rainfall information,
Adv. Water Resour., 32, 1066–1076,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2008.11.011, 2009b. a, b
Osborn, H. B., Lane, L. J., and Hundley, J. F.: Optimum gaging of thunderstorm
rainfall in southeastern Arizona, Water Resour. Res., 8, 259–265,
https://doi.org/10.1029/WR008i001p00259, 1972. a
Peel, M. C., Finlayson, B. L., and McMahon, T. A.: Updated world map of the
Köppen–Geiger climate classification, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 11,
1633–1644, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007, 2007. a
Peleg, N. and Morin, E.: Convective rain cells: Radar-derived spatiotemporal
characteristics and synoptic patterns over the eastern Mediterranean,
J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 117, D15116, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD017353,
2012. a, b
Pilgrim, D., Chapman, T., and Doran, D.: Problems of rainfall-runoff modelling
in arid and semiarid regions, Hydrolog. Sci. J., 33, 379–400,
1988. a
Poesen, J., Ingelmo-Sanchez, F., and Mucher, H.: The hydrological response
of soil surfaces to rainfall as affected by cover and position of rock
fragments in the top layer, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 15,
653–671, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290150707, 1990. a
Puigdefábregas, J.: The role of vegetation patterns in structuring
runoff and sediment fluxes in drylands, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 30, 133–147, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1181, 2005. a, b
Reaney, S. M., Bracken, L. J., and Kirkby, M. J.: Use of the Connectivity of
Runoff Model (CRUM) to investigate the influence of storm characteristics on
runoff generation and connectivity in semi-arid areas, Hydrol.
Process., 21, 894–906, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6281, 2007. a
Reid, I. and Frostick, L. E.: Flow dynamics and suspended sediment properties
in arid zone flash floods, Hydrol. Process., 1, 239–253,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.3360010303, 1987. a
Renard, K. G., Nichols, M. H., Woolhiser, D. A., and Osborn, H. B.: A brief
background on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research
Service Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Water Resour. Res., 44, W05S02,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2006WR005691, 2008. a, b
Ries, F., Schmidt, S., Sauter, M., and Lange, J.: Controls on runoff
generation along a steep climatic gradient in the Eastern Mediterranean,
J. Hydrol., 9, 18–33,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2016.11.001, 2017. a
Rinat, Y., Marra, F., Zoccatelli, D., and Morin, E.: Controls of flash flood
peak discharge in Mediterranean basins and the special role of
runoff-contributing areas, J. Hydrol., 565, 846–860,
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHYDROL.2018.08.055,
2018. a, b
Rubin, S., Ziv, B., and Paldor, N.: Tropical Plumes over Eastern North Africa
as a Source of Rain in the Middle East, Mon. Weather Rev., 135,
4135–4148, https://doi.org/10.1175/2007MWR1919.1,
2007. a
Safriel, U., Adeel, Z., Niemeijer, D., Puigdefabregas, J., White, R., Lal, R.,
Winslow, M., Ziedler, J., Prince, S., Archer, E., King, C., Shapiro, B.,
Wessels, K., Nielsen, T., Portnov, B., Reshef, I., Thonell, J., Lachman, E.,
and Mcnab, D.: Dryland Systems, in: Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Current
State and Trends Current State and Trends, Island Press, 623–662, 2005. a, b
Saharia, M., Kirstetter, P. E., Vergara, H., Gourley, J. J., and Hong, Y.:
Characterization of floods in the United States, J. Hydrol., 548,
524–535, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.03.010, 2017. a, b
Sandercock, P. and Hooke, J.: Strategies for reducing sediment connectivity
and land degradation in desertified areas using vegetation: the RECONDES
project, IAHS-AISH P., 306,
287–294, 2006. a
Schick, A., Hassan, M., and Slaymaker, O.: A brief summary of a third of a
century: Nahal Yael in retrospect, with some ideas for the future of
catchment research, IAHS-AISH P., 261, 5–12, 2000. a
Schumm, S. A.: Evolution of drainage systems and slopes in badlands at Perth
Amboy, New Jersey, B. Geol. Soc. Am., 67,
597–646, 1956. a
Sharon, D. and Kutiel, H.: The distribution of rainfall intensity in Israel,
its regional and seasonal variations and its climatological evaluation,
J. Climatol., 6, 277–291, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3370060304, 1986. a
Shentsis, I., Meirovich, L., Ben-Zvi, A., and Rosenthal, E.: Assessment of
transmission losses and groundwater recharge from runoff events in a wadi
under shortage of data on lateral inflow, Negev, Israel, Hydrol.
Process., 13, 1649–1663,
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(19990815)13:11<1649::AID-HYP834>3.0.CO;2-N,
1999. a, b, c
Singer, M. J. and Le Bissonnais, Y.: Importance of surface sealing in the
erosion of some soils from a Mediterranean climate, Geomorphology, 24,
79–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(97)00102-5, 1998. a
Smith, J. A., Baeck, M. L., Meierdiercks, K. L., Nelson, P. A., Miller, A. J.,
and Holland, E. J.: Field studies of the storm event hydrologic response in
an urbanizing watershed, Water Resour. Res., 41, W10413,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004WR003712, 2005. a
Smith, J. A., Cox, A. A., Baeck, M. L., Yang, L., and Bates, P.: Strange
Floods: The Upper Tail of Flood Peaks in the United States, Water Resour.
Res., 54, 6510–6542, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR022539, 2018. a
Survey of Israel: Atlas of Israel – Cartography, Physical Geography,
Human and Economical Geography, History, Survey of Israel, Min. of Labour, Jerusalem, 1970. a
Thornes, J. B.: The ecology of erosion, Geography, 70, 222–235,
https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133310367548, 1985. a
Tooth, S.: Process, form and change in dryland rivers: A review of recent
research, Earth Sci. Rev., 51, 67–107,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(00)00014-3, 2000. a, b, c, d
Tooth, S. and Nanson, G. C.: Distinctiveness and Diversity of Arid Zone River
Systems, in: Arid Zone Geomorphology: Process, Form and Change in
Drylands,
3rd edn., 269–300, https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470710777.ch12, 2011. a
Wheater, H., Sorooshian, S., and Sharma, K. D.: Hydrological Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas,
Environmental Engineering, Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535734, 2007. a, b
Yair, A.: Runoff generation in a sandy area – the nizzana sands, Western
Negev, Israel, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 15, 597–609,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290150703, 1990. a
Yair, A. and Kossovsky, A.: Climate and surface properties: Hydrological
response of small arid and semi-arid watersheds, Geomorphology, 42, 43–57,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00072-1, 2002. a, b
Yair, A. and Raz-Yassif, N.: Hydrological processes in a small arid catchment:
Scale effects of rainfall and slope length, Geomorphology, 61, 155–169,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2003.12.003, 2004.
a
Yang, L., Smith, J., Baeck, M. L., Morin, E., and Goodrich, D. C.: Flash
Flooding in Arid/Semi-arid Regions: Dissecting the Hydrometeorology and
Hydrology of the 19 August 2014 Storm and Flood Hydroclimatology in Arizona,
J. Hydrometeorol., 18, 3103–3123,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-17-0089.1,
2017. a, b
Ziv, B., Saaroni, H., and Alpert, P.: The factors governing the summer regime
of the eastern Mediterranean, Int. J. Climatol., 24,
1859–1871, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1113, 2004. a
Zoccatelli, D., Borga, M., Viglione, A., Chirico, G. B., and Blöschl, G.:
Spatial moments of catchment rainfall: rainfall spatial organisation, basin
morphology, and flood response, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 3767–3783,
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-3767-2011, 2011. a
Zoccatelli, D., Marra, F., Armon, M., Rinat, Y., Smith,
J. A., and Morin, E.:
Rainfall-runoff characteristics of Desert and Mediterranean catchments in
Israel, https://doi.org/10.6096/MISTRALS-HyMeX.1501, 2019. a, b
Zuazo, V. H. D. and Pleguezuelo, C. R. R.: Soil-erosion and runoff prevention
by plant covers: A review, Sustainable Agriculture, 785–811,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2666-8_48, 2009. a
Short summary
This study presents a comparison of flood properties over multiple Mediterranean and desert catchments. While in Mediterranean areas floods are related to rainfall amount, in deserts we observed a strong connection with the characteristics of the more intense part of storms. Because of the different mechanisms involved, despite having significantly shorter and more localized storms, deserts are able to produce floods with a magnitude comparable to Mediterranean areas.
This study presents a comparison of flood properties over multiple Mediterranean and desert...
