ARS | Publication request: Evaluation of Analytical Methods for Streamflow Partitioning

Submitted to: Transactions Of The Asae
Publication Acceptance Date: March 20, 2004
Publication Date: August 4, 2004
Citation: Nejadhashemi, A.P., Shirmohammadi, A., Sheridan, J.M., Montas, H.J. Evaluation Of Analytical Methods For Streamflow Partitioning. Asae Paper No. 042151, St. Joseph, Mi. 2004

Interpretive Summary: A number of methods are available for estimation of the relative proportioning of total streamflow into storm runoff and baseflow. To date, the effectiveness of these approaches has not been rigorously tested because of the general lack of separately-measured storm runoff and baseflow data. Five of the more promising methods for streamflow partitioning were selected for testing using 12 years of separately-measured surface runoff and baseflow data from a small (0.34 ha) field in the southern US Coastal Plain. Statistical testing showed that the Boughton method, based on a standard manual flow-separation technique, consistently produced the best predictive results and that the technique was among the easier methods for incorporation into large-scale natural resource and environmental models. Future work is planned to relate the "fraction" coefficient required by the approach to watershed-specific physical and hydrologic characteristics. This information will permit development of improved capabilities for estimation of the relative partitioning of streamflows. Improved understanding of the relative proportioning of streamflows is critical for accurate assessment and management of our natural resources, and for developing better solutions to environmental problems such as point and non-point source pollution, ecosystem response, and global warming.

Technical Abstract: Like many problems in hydrology, numbers of methods have been proposed for streamflow partitioning. Numerous hydrograph-partitioning techniques, including three-component, analytical, empirical, graphical, geochemical, and automated methods were reviewed. Five methods were identified as being the most relevant and less input intensive. This paper presents the testing of these five methods against separately measured surface and subsurface flow from the Coastal Plain physiographic region of southeastern United States.