22 Sep 2020
22 Sep 2020
A Wavelet-Based Approach to Streamflow Event Identification and Modeled Timing Error Evaluation
- National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307
- National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307
Abstract. Streamflow timing errors (in the units of time) are rarely explicitly evaluated, but are useful for model evaluation and development. Wavelet-based approaches have been shown to reliably quantify timing errors in streamflow simulations, but have not been applied in a systematic way that is suitable for model evaluation. This paper provides a step-by-step methodology that objectively identifies events, and then estimates timing errors for those events, in a way that can be applied to large-sample, high-resolution predictions. Step 1 applies the wavelet transform to the observations, and uses statistical significance to identify observed events. Step 2 utilizes the cross-wavelet transform to calculate the timing errors for the events identified in Step 1. The approach also includes a quantification of the confidence in the timing error estimates. The methodology is illustrated using real and simulated stream discharge data from several locations to highlight key method features. The method groups event timing errors by dominant timescales, which can be used to identify the potential processes contributing to the timing errors and the associated model development needs. For instance, timing errors that are associated with the diurnal melt cycle are identified. The method is also useful for documenting and evaluating model performance in terms of defined standards. This is illustrated by showing version-over-version performance of the National Water Model (NWM) in terms of timing errors.
- Preprint
(5578 KB) -
Supplement
(2055 KB) - BibTeX
- EndNote
Erin Towler and James L. McCreight


-
RC1: 'Review', Uwe Ehret, 20 Oct 2020
-
SC1: 'Note on missing tables', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
AC1: 'Response to Reviewer 1', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020
-
SC1: 'Note on missing tables', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
SC2: 'tables, post facto', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
RC2: 'Review of "A Wavelet-Based Approach to Streamflow Event Identification and Modeled Timing Error Evaluation"', Cedric David, 24 Oct 2020
-
AC2: 'Response to Reviewer 2', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020
-
AC2: 'Response to Reviewer 2', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020


-
RC1: 'Review', Uwe Ehret, 20 Oct 2020
-
SC1: 'Note on missing tables', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
AC1: 'Response to Reviewer 1', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020
-
SC1: 'Note on missing tables', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
SC2: 'tables, post facto', James McCreight, 21 Oct 2020
-
RC2: 'Review of "A Wavelet-Based Approach to Streamflow Event Identification and Modeled Timing Error Evaluation"', Cedric David, 24 Oct 2020
-
AC2: 'Response to Reviewer 2', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020
-
AC2: 'Response to Reviewer 2', Erin Towler, 16 Dec 2020
Erin Towler and James L. McCreight
Erin Towler and James L. McCreight
Viewed
HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
358 | 68 | 7 | 433 | 38 | 8 | 13 |
- HTML: 358
- PDF: 68
- XML: 7
- Total: 433
- Supplement: 38
- BibTeX: 8
- EndNote: 13
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Country | # | Views | % |
---|
Total: | 0 |
HTML: | 0 |
PDF: | 0 |
XML: | 0 |
- 1