Implications of field measurement uncertainties on modeled rating curves

• Hydraulic models can be useful tools for developing reliable rating curves, however, uncertainties in the input measurements can have implications for the model results. In this study, we investigate the impact of uncertain input field measurements (i.e. stream channel topography, water surface slope, vegetation density, stage, and discharge) on rating curves generated with a physically-based hydraulic model. This is the first-time measurement uncertainties have been assessed with the hydraulic model and we demonstrate the method at a regularly monitored catchment in central Sweden. The results show that the modeling approach, calibrated with three gauging measurements, acquired at low to median flows, was able to generate rating curves with relatively constrained uncertainty for the highest observed stage (i.e. -12% and +46%) when all uncertainty sources were accounted for. These results suggest that this modeling approach could be applied to quickly develop reliable rating curves and simultaneously estimate the uncertainty in the rating curves. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Naturgeografi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Physical Geography (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

acoustic Doppler current profiler

rating curve

uncertainty

Sweden

hydraulic modeling

Physical Geography

naturgeografi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)