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Prediction of Daily Flow Duration Curves and Streamflow for Ungauged Catchments Using Regional Flow Duration Curves
Citation:
MOHAMOUD, Y. M. Prediction of Daily Flow Duration Curves and Streamflow for Ungauged Catchments Using Regional Flow Duration Curves . Hydrological Sciences Journal. IAHS LIMITED, Oxford, Uk, 53(4):706-724, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this study is to develop and test a method to predict flow duration curves and streamflow for ungauged catchments.
Description:
This study presents a method to predict flow duration curves (FDCs) and streamflow for ungauged catchments in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA. We selected 29 catchments from the Appalachian Plateau, Ridge and Valley, and Piedmont physiographic provinces to develop and test the proposed method. Using a stepwise multiple regression analysis, the dominant climate-landscape descriptors were identified and regional FDC models were developed for each province. Predictive performance of the proposed method was estimated using data from three evaluation sites that were not included in parameter estimation for the regional FDC models. Results of this study show that climate and geomorphological descriptors strongly influence the hydrology of the Appalachian Plateau and some Ridge and Valley catchments, whereas soil and geomorphological descriptors strongly influence the hydrology of the Piedmont and some Ridge and Valley catchments. Streamflows calculated by the drainage area ratio method and streamflows reconstructed by the FDC method were compared with the observed streamflows. The results indicated that the FDC-based method shows great promise for predicting streamflow in ungauged basins.