Dear Lionel Benoit and co-authors,

Thank you for posting your responses to the three referees’ reports. Two of the reports are in general positive, while reviewer #3 questioned the novelty of the study presented in the manuscript. All three reviewers raised good suggestions and comments, which implementing them will improve the quality of the manuscript. The novelty of the paper can be better discussed, by rephrasing the aims of the study in the introduction section and using illustrations that will be partially based on the Authors' previous work (i.e. Benoit et al., 2018) that form the basis for this study. Reading the paper thoroughly, I think that the paper fits well with the topics covered in HESS and I believe that with proper revisions, addressing the points raised by the referees, it can be finally accepted for publication. I invite you to upload a revised manuscript, incorporating the proposed changes and additions, and making any other modifications where you see fit. In the online replies to the referees, I noticed that some sections are to be presented as appendices. Please keep in mind that appendices are part of the manuscript whereas Supplementary Information are published along with the manuscript, and consider in the revised version of the paper to move some of the Appendices to SI. Alongside a revised version of your manuscript, please provide a detailed response (“item-by-item”) to each of the referees’ remarks. I look forward to receiving the revised manuscript.

Sincerely,
Nadav Peleg

Dear Lionel Benoit and co-authors,

Reading the revised paper, and following the reports of the three referees, I found the paper almost ready for publication in HESS. Please consider the comments of Reviewer #2 (especially related to the SI) and upload a revised version of the manuscript and SI. The manuscript will not be sent for review again but evaluated by me.

Sincerely,
Nadav Peleg

Dear Lionel Benoit and co-authors,

Thank you for revising the manucript according to the comments of the referees. I am happy to inform you that your paper is now accepted for publication in HESS.

Thank you for contributing to the journal and best regards,
Nadav Peleg