Kinematic Channel Routing Parameter

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Kinematic Channel Routing Parameter Estimation
for a NEXRAD Cell Based Model pre-processing
for HL-RMS Hydrology Lab Research Modeling
System Seann Reed Victor Koren Ziya Zhang Mike
Smith
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Information Required for Each Modeling Element
HRAP Cell Modeling Elements ( 16 km2 ) for the
Blue River Basin (1233 km2)
Channel roughness (nc) Channel top width
parameter (a) Channel shape parameter (b)
Flow direction (cell connectivity) Channel slope
(Sc)
Hillslope roughness (nh) Hillslope slope
(Sh) Channel density (Dd)
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Basic Input Data
USGS Streamflow Measurement Data
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http//water.usgs.gov/nwis
USGS Gage 07332500
http//gisdata.usgs.gov
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Deriving Flow Directions for Each HRAP Cell

• Rules resolve complex situations in which
  multiple traces pass through the same cell

• Flow directions are derived from 30-m DEM
• A starting point for stream tracing is
  identified in each HRAP cell

• Trace downstream from each starting point and
  assign flow directions based on a set of rules

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HRAP Flow Directions for the Blue River Basin
REASONABLE RESULT
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Example HRAP Flow Direction Results
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1. Illinois River at Tahlequah, OK (2484 km2) 2.
Baron Fork at Eldon, OK (795 km2) 3. Cheat
River at Parsons, WV (1869 km2)
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Channel Slope (Sc)

• Channel slope assigned to each HRAP cell based
  on main channel traced from DEM

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Channel Roughness (nc)
At the outlet n0 estimated using Mannings
equation and USGS streamflow measurement data At
an upstream cell c nc n0Sck1Adk2 (Ad
drainage area, k1, k2)
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Channel Width (a) and Shape (b) Parameter
Estimation
1. Assume relationship between top width and
depth
2. Solve for a and b using streamflow
measurement data
Illinois River at Watts, OK
Example cross section (a 36.6, b 0.6)
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Estimate Channel Width Parameter (ac) in Each
Cell (c)

• 1. Start with known values of Axo and Qo
• 2. Solve for Axc using a relationship from
  geomorphology
• 3. Assume Qc proportional to drainage area and
  solve for hydraulic depth using Mannings
  equation
• 4. Solve for Bc and then ac

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Channel Geometry Parameters
(a)
(b)
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Example Simulations
Illinois R. at Watts, OK (1645 km2)
Flint Creek at Kansas, OK (285 km2)
Illinois R. at Tahlequah, OK (2484 km2)
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Summary

• A method to develop distributed, kinematic
  channel routing parameters for a basin is
  described.
• The method combines topographic information
  with flow measurement information at the outlet
  using simple relationships from geomorphology and
  hydraulics.
• Initial simulations indicate that the parameter
  estimates yield reasonable routed flows.