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The prediction of hillslope flow paths for distributed hydrological modelling using digital terrain models
Author(s) -
Quinn P.,
Beven K.,
Chevallier P.,
Planchon O.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/hyp.3360050106
Subject(s) - terrain , raster graphics , context (archaeology) , flow (mathematics) , digital elevation model , grid , sensitivity (control systems) , subsurface flow , path (computing) , hydrological modelling , computer science , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , remote sensing , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , geometry , cartography , geodesy , artificial intelligence , geography , paleontology , groundwater , climatology , electronic engineering , engineering , programming language
The accuracy of the predictions of distributed hydrological models must depend in part on the proper specification of flow pathways. This paper examines some of the problems of deriving flow pathways from raster digital terrain data in the context of hydrological predictions using TOPMODEL. Distributed moisture status is predicted in TOPMODEL on the basis of spatial indices that depend on flow path definition. The sensitivity of this index to flow path algorithm and grid size is examined for the case where the surface topography is a good indicator of local hydraulic gradients. A strategy for the case where downslope subsurface flow pathways may deviate from those indicated by the surface topography is described with an example application.