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Flow Routing Techniques for Environmental Modeling
Citation:
Sitterson, J., Chris Knightes, AND B. Avant. Flow Routing Techniques for Environmental Modeling. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/B-18/256, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
This report is an informative piece that informs modelers of algorithms, input data needed, and the applicability of a few flow routing techniques used in environmental modeling.
Description:
This report describes a few ways to simulate the movement of water through a network of streams. Flow routing connects excess water from precipitation and runoff to the stream to other surface water as part of the hydrological cycle. Simulating flow helps elucidate the transportation of nutrients through a stream system, predict flood events, inform decision makers, and regulate water quality and quantity issues. Three flow routing techniques are presented and discussed in this paper. Constant volume and changing volume techniques use the continuity equation, while the third technique, the kinematic wave approximation, uses the continuity and momentum equations. Inputs and outputs differ for each flow routing technique, with kinematic wave being the most complex model. Each option has a set of applications it is best suited for. Numerical errors such as distortion and instability are potential errors that can affect the accuracy of model outputs. Routing methods should be chosen based on input data availability and scope of the problem being addressed. This report informs modelers of algorithms, input data needed, and the applicability of a few flow routing techniques used in environmental modeling.