Journal article
Performance of the National Water Model in Iowa Using Independent Observations
Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Vol.56(4), pp.568-585
08/2020
DOI: 10.1111/1752-1688.12820
Abstract
This paper explores the performance of the analysis‐and‐assimilation configuration of the National Water Model (NWM) v1.0 in Iowa. The NWM assimilates streamflow observations from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which increases the performance but also limits the available data for model evaluation. In this study, Iowa Flood Center Bridge Sensors (IFCBS) data provided an independent nonassimilated dataset for evaluation analyses. The authors compared NWM outputs for the period between May 2016 and April 2017, with two datasets: USGS streamflow and velocity observations; Stage and streamflow data from IFCBS. The distribution of Spearman rank correlation (rs), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (E), and Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) provided quantification of model performance. We found the performance was linked with the spatial scale of the basins. Analysis at USGS gauges showed the strongest performance in large (>10,000 km2) basins (rs = 0.9, E = 0.9, KGE = 0.8), with some decrease at small (<1,000 km2) basins (rs = 0.6, E = −0.25, KGE = −0.2). Analysis with independent IFCBS observations was used to report performance at large basins (rs = 0.6, KGE = 0.1) and small basins (rs = 0.2, KGE = −0.4). Data assimilation improves simulations at downstream basins. We found differences in the characterization of the model and observed data flow velocity distributions. The authors recommend checking the connection of USGS gauges and NHDPlus reaches for selected locations where performance is weak.
Research Impact Statement: Streamflow and velocity estimates from the National Water Model (NWM) are evaluated using an independent dataset. NWM predictions are better at larger watersheds and downstream basins in Iowa.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Performance of the National Water Model in Iowa Using Independent Observations
- Creators
- Marcela Rojas - University of IowaFelipe Quintero - University of IowaWitold F Krajewski - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Vol.56(4), pp.568-585
- DOI
- 10.1111/1752-1688.12820
- ISSN
- 1093-474X
- eISSN
- 1752-1688
- Number of pages
- 18
- Grant note
- Iowa Flood Center of the University of Iowa
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2020
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984197358102771
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