Chapter 6
Modeling Streamflow Variability
Publication: Statistical Analysis of Hydrologic Variables: Methods and Applications
Abstract
The term streamflow refers to the component of the hydrological cycle that transfers, along the surface of the earth, precipitation excess in a watershed to the oceans. This chapter illustrates methods for the stochastic analysis and modeling of streamflow variability, with a specific focus on water management purposes. In particular, stochastic features describing variability of streamflow time series (at time scales ranging from weekly to yearly) are presented, and the main stochastic models that can be applied to reproduce such variability are illustrated. Several software tools are available for stochastic modeling of streamflow series, among which general purpose time series analysis codes can be employed for many modeling problems. Streamflow analysis and modeling are key steps for successful water resources management. The different sources of variability in streamflows must be properly modeled to assess their impacts on water resources availability.
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Statistical Analysis of Hydrologic Variables: Methods and Applications
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