Application of a new hydrometeorological streamflow prediction model
Title | Application of a new hydrometeorological streamflow prediction model |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 1977 |
Authors | Tangborn, W. V. |
Conference Name | 45th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 45th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 1977 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Keywords | Precipitation data forecasting, Water supply forecasting with prec data |
Abstract | A mathematical model to predict seasonal streamflow, using only low-altitude precipitation gages and streamflow gaging stations, is described. The main features of the model developed are: (1) It can be implemented in any basin that has a large snow storage component, historical streamflow records, and precipitation observations in or near the basin. (2) It is based on simple but rational premises: that basin storage is approximately equal to winter precipitation minus winter runoff, that the catch of a low-altitude precipitation gage is proportional to nearby upland precipitation, and that storage is eventually released as summer streamflow. (3) It does not require expensive high-altitude installations to obtain data. (4) It incorporates a method to test and revise the estimate of storage available for release as summer streamflow.Tests of the model to obain retrospective predictions for the past 10 to 15 years are shown for basins in the North Cascades of Washington, the South Central Sierra Nevada, and for Norway. These tests show that the model appears to be about 20 percent more accurate than existing methods. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1977Tangborn.pdf |