Defining the Z–R Relationship Using Gauge Rainfall with Coarse Temporal Resolution: Implications for Flood Forecasting
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper demonstrates a procedure for deriving the Z–R relationship using poor temporal resolution gauge rainfall data and evaluates its impact on runoff forecasting in the upper Ping River Basin in Northern Thailand. The procedure is based on the use of a scaling logic to modify the Z–R relationship calibrated using daily (or other coarse) resolution ground rainfall data. This scaling procedure is demonstrated using daily gauge data and results in radar rainfall estimates that lead to improved runoff simulations and flood forecasts for the upper Ping River Basin compared with the case in which the daily (or raw) Z–R relationship is used or even when the daily gauge rainfall is used alone. This evaluation is based on hourly comparisons for the high rainfall season over a period of 3 years (2004–2006) at six point locations in the catchment. This scaling relationship has significant implications for flood modeling in most of the developing world that has weather radar coverage and a daily gauge network but a limited continuous ground rainfall measuring network.
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Acknowledgments
The first and the last authors gratefully acknowledge the Thailand Research Fund through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. program (Grant No. PhD/0118/2547) and the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute for financially supporting this research. We also appreciate the BRRAA, RID, and TMD for providing the radar data and hydrological data used in this study. Finally, the authors would like to thank Dr. Siriluk Chumchean for her suggestions on radar rainfall estimation, and also to the anonymous reviewers, whose constructive comments have helped enhance the paper.
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Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 8 • August 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 21, 2011
Accepted: Mar 15, 2012
Published online: Jan 20, 2014
Published in print: Aug 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Oct 22, 2014
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