Comparison of Field Data and Water-Balance Predictions for a Capillary Barrier Cover
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 4
Abstract
Predictions of surface runoff , evapotranspiration (ET), soil–water storage , and percolation obtained using three numerical codes (LEACHM, HYDRUS, and UNSAT-H) employed to simulate the hydrology of water-balance covers are compared to measured water-balance data from a lysimeter used to monitor a capillary barrier cover profile in a subhumid climate. All of the codes captured the seasonal variations in water-balance quantities observed in the field. LEACHM and HYDRUS predicted total during the monitoring period with reasonable accuracy (within using general mean parameters), but the timing of predicted and observed events was different. In contrast, UNSAT-H consistently overpredicted by at least . Evapotranspiration was predicted reliably (within ) with all three codes when data from the first year were excluded. However, all three codes overpredicted ET in late winter and early spring, when snowmelt was occurring and was accumulating in the field. Consequently, generally was underpredicted by all three codes. Predicted and measured percolation were in good agreement (within ), except during the first year. Results of the comparison indicate that cover modelers should scrutinize runoff predictions for reasonableness and carefully account for snow accumulation, snow melt, and ET during snow cover.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this project was provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program (Grant No. R-82951501-0) as part of the USEPA’s Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research Center (HSRC) and by USEPA’s Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP). Dr. Mitch Lasat is the USEPA program manager for the HSRC and Mr. Steven Rock is the USEPA program manager for ACAP. The results and opinions expressed in this paper are solely those of the writers, and endorsement by the USEPA is not implied and should not be assumed.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 4 • April 2008
Pages: 470 - 486
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: May 1, 2007
Accepted: Sep 7, 2007
Published online: Apr 1, 2008
Published in print: Apr 2008
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