Large Sample Basin Experiments for Hydrological Model Parameterization: Results of the Model Parameter Experiment–MOPEX. IAHS Publ. 307, 2006, 230–236.
Ungauged catchments: how to make the most of a few
streamflow measurements?
Claudia Rojas-Serna, Claude Michel, Charles Perrin
& Vazken Andréassian
Cemagref, Hydrosystems and Bioprocesses Research Unit, Parc de Tourvoie BP 44, F-92163 Antony cedex, France
Abstract This paper deals with an alternative to the classical regionalization approach used to address the problem of ungauged basins with rainfall–runoff models. We chose a new, more practical orientation, which consists of making the most of a few discharge measurements. Indeed, it is not unrealistic to obtain such measurements by sending a gauging team to the spot where a hydrological prediction is needed. In this paper we aim to identify the parameters of a daily lumped rainfall–runoff model, GR4J, and we look for a strategy to calibrate its parameters using a few streamflow measurements, which are combined with a priori knowledge of the parameters. Results show this approach to be much more efficient than classical regionalization studies, as soon as about thirty measurements can be made, at random, during a period of three to five years.
Key words point measurements; rainfall–runoff modelling;
regionalization; ungauged basin