Water

Research

9 pages, 3685 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pore-Scale Wetting Process of Capillary-Driven Flow in Unsaturated Porous Media under Micro- and Earth-Gravities

by Yuichi Maruo, Naoto Sato, Kento Nogawa, Shinsuke Aoki and Kosuke Noborio

Water 2022, 14(13), 1995; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14131995 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1929

Microgravity hinders capillary-driven water flow in unsaturated porous media. Previous studies proposed pore-scale phenomena such as “air entrapment”, “particle separation”, and “interruption on widening void space” to explain gravity-dependent capillary-driven flows. Our objectives were: (1) to measure the water flux densities of the [...] Read more.

Microgravity hinders capillary-driven water flow in unsaturated porous media. Previous studies proposed pore-scale phenomena such as “air entrapment”, “particle separation”, and “interruption on widening void space” to explain gravity-dependent capillary-driven flows. Our objectives were: (1) to measure the water flux densities of the pore-scale capillary-driven flow in micro- and Earth-gravities and (2) to reveal that what makes water flow slower under microgravity than under 1 G. We found that average macroscopic water flux densities had no significant difference under micro- and Earth-gravities (p = 0.30). We did not observe “air entrapment” in the pore spaces of porous media. “Widening on a single particle” and “capillary widening” disturbed capillary-driven flow; however, “widening on a single particle” had no significant gravity dependency. “Capillary widening” may be independent of gravity, since it was observed both under microgravity and under 1 G. Water flux densities in unsaturated porous media may have gravity dependency induced by “particle separation” only when porosity is large enough to allow particles to move. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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18 pages, 5237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Spatial Input Data Quality on the Performance of the SWAT Model

by Alexander Kmoch, Desalew Meseret Moges, Mahdiyeh Sepehrar, Balaji Narasimhan and Evelyn Uuemaa

Water 2022, 14(13), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14131988 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2525

Abstract

Soil and land use information are important inputs for physically-based hydrological modeling such as SWAT. Although fine resolution local or regional data are often preferred for modeling, it is not always reliable that these data can lead to better model performance. In this [...] Read more.

Soil and land use information are important inputs for physically-based hydrological modeling such as SWAT. Although fine resolution local or regional data are often preferred for modeling, it is not always reliable that these data can lead to better model performance. In this study, we investigate the effect of input data on the sensitivity and uncertainty of the SWAT model in the Porijõgi catchment in Estonia. We created four model setups using global/regional level data (HWSD soil and CORINE) and local high-resolution spatial data, including the Estonian high-resolution EstSoil-EH soil dataset and the Estonian Topographic Database (ETAK). We employed statistical criteria to assess SWAT model performance for monthly simulated stream flows from 2007 to 2019. The results illustrated that models with high-resolution local soil data performed lower than models with global soil data, but in contrast, in the case of land use datasets, the local high-resolution ETAK dataset improved performance over the CORINE data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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17 pages, 4383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of a Conceptual Hydrological Model for Streamflow Prediction Using Multi-Source Precipitation Products in a Semi-Arid River Basin

by Muhammad Usman, Christopher E. Ndehedehe, Humera Farah, Burhan Ahmad, Yongjie Wong and Oluwafemi E. Adeyeri

Water 2022, 14(8), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14081260 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2774

Abstract

Management of the freshwater resources in a sustained manner requires the information and understanding of the surface water hydrology and streamflow is of key importance in this nexus. This study evaluates the performance of eight different precipitation products (APHRODITE, CHRS CCS, CHRS CDR, [...] Read more.

Management of the freshwater resources in a sustained manner requires the information and understanding of the surface water hydrology and streamflow is of key importance in this nexus. This study evaluates the performance of eight different precipitation products (APHRODITE, CHRS CCS, CHRS CDR, CHIRPS, CPC Global, GPCC, GPCP, and PERSIANN) for streamflow prediction in two sub-catchments (Chirah and Dhoke Pathan) of the data-scarce Soan River Basin (SRB) in Pakistan. A modified version of the hydrological model HBV (Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning) known as HBV-light was used to generate streamflow. The model was separately calibrated and validated with observed and estimated precipitation data for streamflow simulation with optimized parameterization. The values of R², NSE, KGE and PBIAS obtained during the calibration (validation) period for the Chirah sub-catchment were 0.64, 0.64, 0.68 and −5.6% (0.82, 0.81, 0.88 and 7.4%). On the other hand, values of R², NSE, KGE, and PBIAS obtained during the calibration (validation) period for the Dhoke Pathan sub-catchment were 0.85, 0.85, 0.87, and −3.4% (0.82, 0.7, 0.73 and 6.9%). Different ranges of values were assigned to multiple efficiency evaluation metrics and the performance of precipitation products was assessed. Generally, we found that the performance of the precipitation products was improved (higher metrics values) with increasing temporal and spatial scale. However, our results showed that APHRODITE was the only precipitation product that outperformed other products in simulating observed streamflow at both temporal scales for both Chirah and Dhoke Pathan sub-catchments. These results suggest that with the long-term availability of continuous precipitation records with fine temporal and spatial resolutions, APHRODITE has the high potential to be used for streamflow prediction in this semi-arid river basin. Other products that performed better were GPCC, GPCP, and CHRS CCS; however, their scope was limited either to one catchment or a specific time scale. These results will also help better understand surface water hydrology and in turn, would be useful for better management of the water resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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14 pages, 62378 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Causation Identification and Control Measures of Deformation by Integrated Dewatering-Excavation Process Simulation of a T-Shaped Deep Foundation Pit

by Yege Zhang, Lixin Yi, Linus Zhang, Yongpeng Yang, Xin Hao, Hui Li and Huanfa Ma

Water 2022, 14(4), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14040535 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2354

Abstract

Construction of subway line intersection stations will become more and more popular in the future. Research on the deformation characteristics in the construction process is the best way to ensure the safety of the foundation pit itself, the surrounding buildings, and adjacent subway [...] Read more.

Construction of subway line intersection stations will become more and more popular in the future. Research on the deformation characteristics in the construction process is the best way to ensure the safety of the foundation pit itself, the surrounding buildings, and adjacent subway stations. In this paper, the deformation characteristics of a T-shaped subway foundation pit during construction are studied by an integrated dewatering-excavation three-dimensional numerical simulation method. The results show that the main causation of the surface settlement around the foundation pit is the stratum compression caused by dewatering, and the main causation of the deformation of the diaphragm wall and the existing subway station is the soil deformation caused by excavation unloading. It is suggested that constructing a high-quality diaphragm wall, controlling the water level within the excavation foundation pit, strengthening the monitoring, and timely cement pouring of the bottom plate are key countermeasures to reduce the deformation. The research results of this paper have reference significance for similar projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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19 pages, 1706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Discharge in a Non-Dammed River of Southeastern South America Using SWAT Model

by Thais Fujita, Marcos Vinicius Bueno de Morais, Vanessa Cristina Dos Santos, Anderson Paulo Rudke, Marilia Moreira de Eiras, Ana Carolina Freitas Xavier, Sameh Adib Abou Rafee, Eliane Barbosa Santos, Leila Droprinchinski Martins, Cintia Bertacchi Uvo, Rodrigo Augusto Ferreira de Souza, Edmilson Dias de Freitas and Jorge Alberto Martins

Water 2022, 14(3), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14030488 - 7 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3125

Abstract

Within a single region, it is possible to identify opposite changes in flow production. This proved to be the case for several basins in southeastern South America. It remains challenging to the causes this behavior and whether changes in streamflow will continue at [...] Read more.

Within a single region, it is possible to identify opposite changes in flow production. This proved to be the case for several basins in southeastern South America. It remains challenging to the causes this behavior and whether changes in streamflow will continue at current levels or decline in the coming decades. In this study, we used the Soil Water Assessment Tool to simulate monthly river discharge in the Ivaí River Basin, an unregulated medium-sized catchment and tributary of the Upper Paraná River Basin. After calibration, the simulated flow regime for the five streamflow stations based on the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency index (NSE) rated four of the streamflow stations Very Good (NSE between 0.86 and 0.89) and only one in the Good index (0.70). The overall flow behavior was well represented, although an underestimation was identified in four monitoring stations. Through assessment of its functionality and limitations in terms of specific flow duration curves percentages, the calibrated model could provide (to managers) the reliability needed for a realistic intervention. The results of this study may assist managers and support public policies for the use of water resources at the Ivaí River basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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19 pages, 6514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrological Modeling of Karst Watershed Containing Subterranean River Using a Modified SWAT Model: A Case Study of the Daotian River Basin, Southwest China

by Xinxin Geng, Chengpeng Zhang, Feng’e Zhang, Zongyu Chen, Zhenlong Nie and Min Liu

Water 2021, 13(24), 3552; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13243552 - 12 Dec 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3824

Abstract

Karst watershed refers to the total range of surface and underground recharge areas of rivers (including subterranean rivers and surface rivers) in karst areas. Karst water resources, as the primary source of domestic water supply in southwest China, are vital for the social [...] Read more.

Karst watershed refers to the total range of surface and underground recharge areas of rivers (including subterranean rivers and surface rivers) in karst areas. Karst water resources, as the primary source of domestic water supply in southwest China, are vital for the social and economic development of these regions. It is greatly significant to establish a high-precision hydrological model of karst watershed for guiding water resources management in karst areas. Choosing the Daotian river basin in the Wumeng Mountains of Southwest China as the study area, this paper proposed a method for simplifying karst subterranean rivers into surface rivers by modifying the digital elevation model (DEM) based on a field survey and tracer test. This method aims to solve the inconsistency between the topographical drainage divides and actual catchment boundaries in karst areas. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was modified by replacing the single-reservoir model in the groundwater module with a three-reservoir model to depict the constraints of multiple media on groundwater discharge in the karst system. The results show that the catchment areas beyond topographic watershed were effectively identified after simplifying subterranean rivers to surface rivers based on the modified DEM data, which ensured the accuracy of the basic model. For the calibration and two validation periods, the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies (NSE) of the modified SWAT model were 0.87, 0.83, and 0.85, respectively, and R² were 0.88, 0.84, and 0.86, respectively. The NSE of the modified SWAT model was 0.09 higher than that of the original SWAT model in simulating baseflow, which effectively improved the simulation accuracy of daily runoff. In addition, the modified SWAT model had a lower uncertainty within the same parameter ranges than the original one. Therefore, the modified SWAT model is more applicable to karst watersheds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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15 pages, 3042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automatic Calibration for CE-QUAL-W2 Model Using Improved Global-Best Harmony Search Algorithm

by Afshin Shabani, Xiaodong Zhang, Xuefeng Chu and Haochi Zheng

Water 2021, 13(16), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162308 - 23 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3360

Abstract

CE-QUAL-W2 is widely used for simulating hydrodynamics and water quality of the aquatic environments. Currently, the model calibration is mainly based on trial and error, and therefore it is subject to the knowledge and experience of users. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm [...] Read more.

CE-QUAL-W2 is widely used for simulating hydrodynamics and water quality of the aquatic environments. Currently, the model calibration is mainly based on trial and error, and therefore it is subject to the knowledge and experience of users. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been tested for automatic calibration of CE-QUAL-W2, but it has an issue of prematurely converging to a local optimum. In this study, we proposed an Improved Global-Best Harmony Search (IGHS) algorithm to automatically calibrate the CE-QUAL-W2 model to overcome these shortcomings. We tested the performance of the IGHS calibration method by simulating water temperature of Devils Lake, North Dakota, which agreed with field observations with R² = 0.98, and RMSE = 1.23 and 0.77 °C for calibration (2008–2011) and validation (2011–2016) periods, respectively. The same comparison, but with the PSO-calibrated CE-QUAL-W2 model, produced R² = 0.98 and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) = 1.33 and 0.91 °C. Between the two calibration methods, the CE-QUAL-W2 model calibrated by the IGHS method could lower the RMSE in water temperature simulation by approximately 7–15%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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19 pages, 5934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Groundwater Abstraction on Hydrological Responses during Extreme Drought Periods in the Boryeong Dam Catchment, Korea

by Sanghyun Park, Hyeonjun Kim and Choelhee Jang

Water 2021, 13(15), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13152132 - 2 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3632

Abstract

Groundwater withdrawal results in a significant depletion of groundwater storage due to the frequency and intensity of droughts and increasing irrigation demands. To ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources, it is necessary to accurately simulate the groundwater behavior of catchments using a [...] Read more.

Groundwater withdrawal results in a significant depletion of groundwater storage due to the frequency and intensity of droughts and increasing irrigation demands. To ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources, it is necessary to accurately simulate the groundwater behavior of catchments using a surface–groundwater integrated runoff model. Most of the existing catchment runoff models have been applied to surface water management; thus, integrated runoff analysis studies that consider the interaction between surface water and groundwater are required. Due to the intensive agricultural sector in Korea and the position of rice as the staple in the Korean diet, more than 50% of groundwater abstraction is used for irrigation. Therefore, it is very important to understand the hydrological interrelationships between agricultural areas and the entire watershed. This study aimed to compare and analyze the groundwater levels in the mountainous areas and paddy field areas in the Boryeong Dam catchment through a surface–groundwater integrated runoff simulation using the Catchment Hydrologic Cycle Assessment Tool model, and to compare the hydrological responses in wet years (2010–2012) and dry years (2014–2016). The maximum difference in the monthly groundwater level in the dry years compared to the wet years was 1.07 m at the forest catchment and 0.37 m at the paddy catchment. These results indicate that the impact of drought on the groundwater level of paddy catchments is not significant compared to the forest catchments; however, drought slows the recovery of the groundwater level before the rainy season, thereby limiting the agricultural groundwater use in the catchment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Challenges in Hydrological Modeling and Engineering)

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