Articles | Volume 28, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4427-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4427-2024
Research article
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08 Oct 2024
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 08 Oct 2024

Characterizing nonlinear, nonstationary, and heterogeneous hydrologic behavior using ensemble rainfall–runoff analysis (ERRA): proof of concept

James W. Kirchner

Model code and software

ERRA -- an R script for Ensemble Rainfall-Runoff Analysis James W. Kirchner https://doi.org/10.16904/envidat.529

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Executive editor
A rigorous analytical hydrological model for Ensemble Rainfall-Runoff Analysis (ERRA) of catchments. The paper gives the concepts, mathematical details and several proof-of-concepts. ERRA was designed as a tool for iterative and exploration of hydrological data, through trial and error with analyses of varying degrees of complexity. The broad geosciences community could benefit from this statistical approach. The discussion cites some good examples of applications possible in hydrology, but potential also in other related fields as well.
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.