Modelling spring flood in the area of the Upper Volga basin

M. Helms (1) , O. Evdakov (1) , J. Ihringer (1) , F. Nestmann (1)

1 Institute for Water and River Basin Management

Integrated river-basin management for the Volga river requires understanding and modelling of the flow process in its macro-scale tributary catchments. At the example of the Kostroma catchment (16 000 km²), a method combining existing hydrologic simulation tools was developed that allows operational modelling even when data are scarce. Emphasis was placed on simulation of three processes: snow cover development using a snow-compaction model, runoff generation using a conceptual approach with parameters for seasonal antecedent moisture conditions, and runoff concentration using a regionalised unit hydrograph approach. Based on this method, specific regional characteristics of the precipitation-runoff process were identified, in particular a distinct threshold behaviour of runoff generation in catchments with clay-rich soils. With a plausible overall parameterisation of involved tools, spring flood events could successfully be simulated. Present paper mainly focuses on the simulation of a 16-year sample of snowmelt events in a meso-scale catchment. An example of regionalised simulation in the scope of the modelling system "Flussgebietsmodell" shows the capabilities of developed method for application in macro-scale tributary catchments of the Upper Volga basin.

Domaines: Sciences de la Terre

M. Helms, O. Evdakov, J. Ihringer, F. Nestmann. Modelling spring flood in the area of the Upper Volga basin. Advances in Geosciences, 2006, 9, pp.115-122. ⟨hal-00296964⟩