Articles | Volume 24, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-1159-2020
© Author(s) 2020. 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-24-1159-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
11 Mar 2020
Research article |
| 11 Mar 2020
| 11 Mar 2020
Recession analysis revisited: impacts of climate on parameter estimation
Department of Biological and Ecologic Engineering, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
David E. Rupp
Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, College of Earth, Oceanic, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
Clément Roques
Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
John S. Selker
Department of Biological and Ecologic Engineering, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
Related authors
Clément Roques, David E. Rupp, Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy, Laurent Longuevergne, Elizabeth R. Jachens, Gordon Grant, Luc Aquilina, and John S. Selker
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4391–4405, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4391-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4391-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Streamflow dynamics are directly dependent on contributions from groundwater, with hillslope heterogeneity being a major driver in controlling both spatial and temporal variabilities in recession discharge behaviors. By analysing new model results, this paper identifies the major structural features of aquifers driving streamflow dynamics. It provides important guidance to inform catchment-to-regional-scale models, with key geological knowledge influencing groundwater–surface water interactions.
Alexandre Gauvain, Ronan Abhervé, Bastien Boivin, Alexandre Coche, Martin Le Mesnil, Tristan Babey, Enzo Maugan, Théa Touzeau, Imene Issolah, Clément Roques, Camille Bouchez, Jean Marçais, Sarah Leray, Etienne Marti, Etienne Bresciani, Ronny Figueroa, Mathias Pélissier, Simon Carlier, Luca Guillaumot, Rock S. Bagagnan, Camille Vautier, Laurent Longuevergne, June Sallou, Johan Bourcier, Benoit Combemale, Philip Brunner, Luc Aquilina, and Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 30, 5571–5592, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5571-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5571-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
HydroModPy was developed to make it easier and faster to deploy groundwater models across multiple catchments. Although such models are widely used, setting them up often requires significant time and expertise. HydroModPy automates key steps, from preparing maps and input data to building models and running simulations. It is specifically designed for shallow aquifers and supports transparent, reproducible studies of groundwater. This tool can improve water management, research, and education.
Matthew Tippett-Vannini, Paul Gaspar, Aiden Hosford, and John Selker
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5744, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5744, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate rainfall data require well-calibrated gauges, but existing tools are expensive or not suited to field use. We present the Adjustable-Rate 3D Printed Calibrator a low-cost device that delivers a steady, adjustable flow of water to check gauge accuracy. Tests in the lab and field show it is precise, reliable, and easy to build for about 12 USD, helping make routine calibration more accessible.
Alex Naoki Asato Kobayashi, Clément Roques, Daniel Hunkeler, Edward A. D. Mitchell, Robin Calisti, and Philip Brunner
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 14, 435–446, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-435-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-435-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The increasing impact of climate change and human activities on greenhouse gas emissions highlights the need for effective monitoring, especially from the soil. Our design introduces a low-cost solution for measuring soil gas flux that is adaptable to various environments. Additionally, we propose a novel method for ensuring data quality before deploying these systems in the field.
Etienne Marti, Sarah Leray, and Clément Roques
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 5665–5676, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-5665-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-5665-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows that the response of groundwater-dependent wetlands to recharge changes can be predicted from landform properties alone. Mountain catchments are less sensitive to recharge changes than flat ones, due to fewer but more persistent seepage areas. These results support a scalable approach to assessing wetland vulnerability to climate change, with practical implications for water resource management and conservation planning in diverse landscapes.
Cyprien Louis, Landon J. S. Halloran, and Clément Roques
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 1505–1523, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1505-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1505-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the freeze–thaw cycles of a rock glacier located in Switzerland and their influence on subsurface hydrology. By analyzing aerial pictures, we estimate the evolution of its creeping velocity on an inter-annual scale. We use geochemical tracers measured at springs to identify the mixing of meltwater and deep groundwater on seasonal to diurnal timescales. This study provides new insights into the cryo-hydrogeological processes that regulate water fluxes in mountain regions.
Alexandre Gauvain, Ronan Abhervé, Alexandre Coche, Martin Le Mesnil, Clément Roques, Camille Bouchez, Jean Marçais, Sarah Leray, Etienne Marti, Ronny Figueroa, Etienne Bresciani, Camille Vautier, Bastien Boivin, June Sallou, Johan Bourcier, Benoit Combemale, Philip Brunner, Laurent Longuevergne, Luc Aquilina, and Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3962, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3962, 2025
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
HydroModPy is an open-source toolbox that makes it easier to study and model groundwater flow at catchment scale. By combining mapping tools with groundwater modeling, it automates the process of building, analyzing and deploying aquifer models. This allows researchers to simulate groundwater flow that sustains stream baseflows, providing insights for the hydrology community. Designed to be accessible and customizable, HydroModPy supports sustainable water management, research, and education.
Ronan Abhervé, Clément Roques, Alexandre Gauvain, Laurent Longuevergne, Stéphane Louaisil, Luc Aquilina, and Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 3221–3239, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3221-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-3221-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We propose a model calibration method constraining groundwater seepage in the hydrographic network. The method assesses the hydraulic properties of aquifers in regions where perennial streams are directly fed by groundwater. The estimated hydraulic conductivity appear to be highly sensitive to the spatial extent and density of streams. Such an approach improving subsurface characterization from surface information is particularly interesting for ungauged basins.
Clément Roques, David E. Rupp, Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy, Laurent Longuevergne, Elizabeth R. Jachens, Gordon Grant, Luc Aquilina, and John S. Selker
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4391–4405, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4391-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4391-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Streamflow dynamics are directly dependent on contributions from groundwater, with hillslope heterogeneity being a major driver in controlling both spatial and temporal variabilities in recession discharge behaviors. By analysing new model results, this paper identifies the major structural features of aquifers driving streamflow dynamics. It provides important guidance to inform catchment-to-regional-scale models, with key geological knowledge influencing groundwater–surface water interactions.
Cited articles
Bart, R. and Hope, A.: Inter-seasonal variability in baseflow recession
rates: The role of aquifer antecedent storage in central California
watersheds, J. Hydrol., 519, 205–213,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.07.020, 2014.
Basso, S., Schirmer, M., and Botter, G.: On the emergence of heavy-tailed
streamflow distributions, Adv. Water Resour., 82, 98–105,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2015.04.013, 2015.
Begueria, S., Vicente-Serrano, S. M., Lopez-Moreno, J. I., and Garcia-Ruiz,
J. M.: Annual and seasonal mapping of peak intensity, magnitude and duration
of extreme precipitation events across a climatic gradient, northeast Spain,
Int. J. Climatol., 29, 1759–1779, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1808, 2009.
Berghuijs, W. R., Sivapalan, M., Woods, R. A., and Savenije, H. H. G.: Patterns of similarity of seasonal water balances: A window into streamflow variability over a range of time scales, Water Resour. Res., 50, 5638–5661, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR015692, 2014.
Berghuijs, W. R., Hartmann, A., and Woods, R. A.: Streamflow sensitivity to
water storage changes across Europe, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 1980–1987,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL067927, 2016.
Biswal, B. and Marani, M.: Geomorphological origin of recession curves,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, 1–5, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL045415, 2010.
Brooks, P., Chorover, J., Fan, Y., Godsey, S. E., Maxwell, R. M., McNamara,
J., and Tague, C.: Hydrological partitioning in the critical zone: Recent
advances and opportunities for developing transferable understanding of
water cycle dynamics, Water Resour. Res., 51, 6973–6987,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2015WR017039, 2015.
Brutsaert, W.: Long-term groundwater storage trends estimated from
streamflow records: Climatic perspective, Water Resour. Res., 44, 1–7,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2007WR006518, 2008.
Brutsaert, W. and Nieber, J. L.: Regionalized drought flow hydrographs from
a mature glaciated plateau, Water Resour. Res., 13, 637–643,
https://doi.org/10.1029/WR013i003p00637, 1977.
Buttle, J. M.: Mediating stream baseflow response to climate change: The
role of basin storage, Hydrol. Process., 32, 363–378,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11418, 2018.
Chen, B. and Krajewski, W.: Analysing individual recession events:
sensitivity of parameter determination to the calculation procedure, Hydrolog.
Sci. J., 61, 2887–2901, https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2016.1170940, 2016.
Chen, X., Kumar, M., Basso, S., and Marani, M.: On the effectiveness of recession analysis methods for capturing the characteristic storage-discharge relation: An intercomparison study, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2018-65, 2018.
Clark, M. P., Rupp, D. E., Woods, R. A., Tromp-van Meerveld, H. J., Peters,
N. E., and Freer, J. E.: Consistency between hydrological models and field
observations: Linking processes at the hillslope scale to hydrological
responses at the watershed scale, Hydrol. Process., 23, 311–319, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7154,
2009.
Dewandel, B., Lachassagne, P., Bakalowicz, M., Weng, P., and Al-Malki, A.:
Evaluation of aquifer thickness by analysing recession hydrographs.
Application to the Oman ophiolite hard-rock aquifer, J. Hydrol., 274,
248–269, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(02)00418-3, 2003.
Dooge, J. C. I.: Linear Theory Of Hydrologic Systems – Technical Bulletin No. 1468, Agric. Res. Serv. United States Deparment Agric., Washington, D.C., 1973.
Dralle, D., Karst, N., and Thompson, S. E.: A, b careful: The challenge of
scale invariance for comparative analyses in power law models of the
streamflow recession, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 9285–9293, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL066007,
2015.
Dralle, D. N., Karst, N. J., Charalampous, K., Veenstra, A., and Thompson, S. E.: Event-scale power law recession analysis: quantifying methodological uncertainty, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 65–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-65-2017, 2017.
Drogue, C.: Analyse statistique des hydrogrammes de decrues des sources
karstiques statistical analysis of hydrographs of karstic springs, J.
Hydrol., 15, 49–68, 1972.
Fan, Y., Clark, M., Lawrence, D., Swenson, S., Band, L. E., Brantley, S.,
Brooks, P., Dietrich, W., Flores, A., Grant, G., Kirchner, J., Mackay, D.,
McDonnell, J., Milly, P., Sullivan, P., Tague, C., Ajami, H., Chaney, N.,
Hartmann, A., Hazenberg, P., McNamara, J., Pellet, J., Volk, J., and
Yamazaki, D.: Hillslope Hydrology in Global Change Research and Earth System
Modeling, Water Resour. Res., 55,
1737–1772, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023903, 2019.
Gao, M., Chen, X., Liu, J., Zhang, Z., and Cheng, Q.-B.: Using Two Parallel
Linear Reservoirs to Express Multiple Relations of Power-Law Recession
Curves, J. Hydrol. Eng., 22, 1–12,
https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)he.1943-5584.0001518, 2017.
Harman, C. J., Sivapalan, M., and Kumar, P.: Power law catchment-scale
recessions arising from heterogeneous linear small-scale dynamics, Water
Resour. Res., 45, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR007392, 2009.
Jachens, E. R.: Data for Cases 1 & 3 (event magnitudes and inter-arrival times), HydroShare, https://doi.org/10.4211/hs.e3c159631acd470cbeef5fa1abe0142e, 2020.
Johnson, S. and Rothacher, J.: Stream discharge in gaged watersheds at the Andrews Experimental Forest, 1949 to present., Long-Term Ecol. Res. For. Sci. Data Bank [Database], https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/c85f62e9070a4ebe5e455190b4879c0c, 2019.
Karlsen, R. H., Bishop, K., Grabs, T., Ottosson-Löfvenius, M., Laudon,
H., and Seibert, J.: The role of landscape properties, storage and
evapotranspiration on variability in streamflow recessions in a boreal
catchment, J. Hydrol., 570, 315–328, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.12.065, 2018.
Kirchner, J. W.: Catchments as simple dynamical systems: Catchment
characterization, rainfall-runoff modeling, and doing hydrology backward,
Water Resour. Res., 45, 1–34, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR006912, 2009.
Liu, J., Han, X., Chen, X., Lin, H., and Wang, A.: How well can the
subsurface storage–discharge relation be interpreted and predicted using
the geometric factors in headwater areas?, Hydrol. Process., 30,
4826–4840, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10958, 2016.
Lyon, S. W., Koutsouris, A., Scheibler, F., Jarsjö, J., Mbanguka, R.,
Tumbo, M., Robert, K. K., Sharma, A. N., and van der Velde, Y.: Interpreting
characteristic drainage timescale variability across Kilombero Valley,
Tanzania, Hydrol. Process., 29, 1912–1924, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10304, 2015.
McMillan, H., Gueguen, M., Grimon, E., Woods, R., Clark, M., and Rupp, D. E.:
Spatial variability of hydrological processes and model structure
diagnostics in a 50 km2 catchment, Hydrol. Process., 28, 4896–4913,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.9988, 2014.
McMillan, H. K., Clark, M. P., Bowden, W. B., Duncan, M., and Woods, R. A.:
Hydrological field data from a modeller's perspective: Part 1. Diagnostic
tests for model structure, Hydrol. Process., 25, 511–522,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7841, 2011.
Meriö, L., Ala-aho, P., Linjama, J., Hjort, J., Kløve, B. and
Marttila, H.: Snow to Precipitation Ratio Controls Catchment Storage and
Summer Flows in Boreal Headwater Catchments, Water Resour. Res.,
55, 4096–4109, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023031, 2019.
Mutzner, R., Bertuzzo, E., Tarolli, P., Weijs, S. V., Nicotina, L., Ceola,
S., Tomasic, N., Rodriguez-Iturbe, I., Parlange, M. B., and Rinaldo, A.:
Geomorphic signatures on Brutsaert base flow recession analysis, Water
Resour. Res., 49, 5462–5472, https://doi.org/10.1002/wrcr.20417, 2013.
Ploum, S. W., Lyon, S. W., Teuling, A. J., Laudon, H., and van der Velde, Y.:
Soil frost effects on streamflow recessions in a sub-arctic catchment,
Hydrol. Process., 33, 1304–1316, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13401, 2019.
Roques, C., Rupp, D. E., and Selker, J. S.: Improved streamflow recession
parameter estimation with attention to calculation of
Rupp, D. E. and Selker, J. S.: Drainage of a horizontal Boussinesq aquifer
with a power law hydraulic conductivity profile, Water Resour. Res., 41,
1–8, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005WR004241, 2005.
Rupp, D. E. and Selker, J. S.: Information, artifacts, and noise in dQ∕dt –
Q recession analysis, Adv. Water Resour., 29, 154–160,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2005.03.019, 2006a.
Rupp, D. E. and Selker, J. S.: On the use of the Boussinesq equation for
interpreting recession hydrographs from sloping aquifers, Water Resour.
Res., 42, 1–15, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006WR005080, 2006b.
Rupp, D. E. and Woods, R. A.: Increased flexibility in base flow modelling
using a power law transmissivity profile, Hydrol. Process., 22, 2667–2671, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6863, 2008.
Rupp, D. E., Schmidt, J., Woods, R. A., and Bidwell, V. J.: Analytical
assessment and parameter estimation of a low-dimensional groundwater model,
J. Hydrol., 377, 143–154, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.08.018, 2009.
Sánchez-Murillo, R., Brooks, E. S., Elliot, W. J., Gazel, E., and Boll,
J.: Baseflow recession analysis in the inland Pacific Northwest of the
United States, Hydrogeol. J., 23, 287–303,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1191-4, 2015.
Santos, A. C., Portela, M. M., Rinaldo, A., and Schaefli, B.: Estimation of
streamflow recession parameters: New insights from an analytic streamflow
distribution model, Hydrol. Process., 33, 1595–1609, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13425, 2019.
Selker, J. S. and Haith, D. A.: Development and Testing of Single-Parameter
Precipitation Distributions, Water Resour. Res., 26, 2733–2740,
https://doi.org/10.1029/WR026i011p02733, 1990.
Shaw, S. B. and Riha, S. J.: Examining individual recession events instead
of a data cloud: Using a modified interpretation of dQ/dt-Q streamflow
recession in glaciated watersheds to better inform models of low flow, J.
Hydrol., 434–435, 46–54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.02.034, 2012.
Stewart, M. K.: Promising new baseflow separation and recession analysis methods applied to streamflow at Glendhu Catchment, New Zealand, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 2587–2603, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-2587-2015, 2015.
Stoelzle, M., Stahl, K., and Weiler, M.: Are streamflow recession characteristics really characteristic?, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 817–828, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-817-2013, 2013.
Szilagyi, J., Gribovszki, Z., and Kalicz, P.: Estimation of catchment-scale
evapotranspiration from baseflow recession data: Numerical model and
practical application results, J. Hydrol., 336, 206–217,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.01.004, 2007.
Tashie, A., Scaife, C. I., and Band, L. E.: Transpiration and Subsurface
Controls of Streamflow Recession Characteristics, Hydrol. Process., 33, 2561–2575,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13530, 2019.
Thomas, B. F., Vogel, R. M., and Famiglietti, J. S.: Objective hydrograph
baseflow recession analysis, J. Hydrol., 525, 102–112,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.03.028, 2015.
Troch, P. A., de Troch, F. P., and Brutsaert, W.: Effective Water Table Depth
to Describe Initial Conditions Prior to Storm Rainfall in Humid Regions, J. Water Resour. Res., 29, 427–434 1993.
USGS: National Water Information System, available at: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14161500 (last access: 1 February 2020), 2019.
Vannier, O., Braud, I., and Anquetin, S.: Regional estimation of
catchment-scale soil properties by means of streamflow recession analysis
for use in distributed hydrological models, Hydrol. Process., 28,
6276–6291, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10101, 2014.
Vogel, R. M. and Kroll, C. N.: Regional Geohydrologic-Geomorphic
Relationships for the Estimation of Low-Flow Statistics, Water Resour.,
28, 2451–2458, 1992.
Wang, D.: On the base flow recession at the Panola Mountain Research
Watershed, Georgia, United States, Water Resour. Res., 47, 1–10,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR009910, 2011.
Yeh, H. and Huang, C.: Evaluation of basin storage-discharge sensitivity in Taiwan using low‐flow recession analysis, Hydrol. Process., 1–14, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13411, 2019.
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.
Recession analysis uses the receding streamflow following precipitation events to estimate...
