Bulk density optimization to determine subsurface hydraulic properties in Rocky Mountain catchments using the GEOtop model

Bulk density optimization to determine subsurface hydraulic properties in Rocky Mountain catchments using the GEOtop model

Integrated watershed models can be used to calculate streamflow generation in snow‐dominated mountainous catchments. Parameterization of water flow is often complicated by the lack of information on subsurface hydraulic properties. In this study, bulk density optimization was used to determine hydra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrological processes Vol. 33; no. 17; pp. 2323 - 2336
Main Authors: Fullhart, Andrew T., Kelleners, Thijs J., Chandler, Dave G., McNamara, James P., Seyfried, Mark S.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Chichester Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 15-08-2019
Subjects:
Anisotropy
Bulk density
Calibration
Catchment area
Catchments
Coastal inlets
Density
Discharge
Hydraulic conductivity
Hydraulic properties
Hydraulics
Modelling
Moisture content
Optimization
Parameter uncertainty
Parameterization
Properties
Properties (attributes)
Regolith
regolith structure
Rivers
snowpack
Soil
Soil water
soil–water content
Stream discharge
Stream flow
streamflow
Streamflow generation models
Water content
Water flow
watershed model
Watersheds
Wyoming
United States > US
Idaho
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Summary:Integrated watershed models can be used to calculate streamflow generation in snow‐dominated mountainous catchments. Parameterization of water flow is often complicated by the lack of information on subsurface hydraulic properties. In this study, bulk density optimization was used to determine hydraulic parameters for the upper and lower regolith in the GEOtop model. The methodology was tested in two small catchments in the Dry Creek Watershed in Idaho and the Libby Creek Watershed in Wyoming. Modelling efficiencies for profile‐average soil–water content for the two catchments were between 0.52 and 0.64. Modelling efficiencies for stream discharge (cumulative stream discharge) were 0.45 (0.91) and 0.54 (0.94) for the Idaho and Wyoming catchments, respectively. The calculated hydraulic properties suggest that lateral flow across the upper–lower regolith interface is an important driver of streamflow in both the Idaho and Wyoming watersheds. The overall calibration procedure is computationally efficient because only two bulk density values are optimized. The two‐parameter calibration procedure was complicated by uncertainty in hydraulic conductivity anisotropy. Different upper regolith hydraulic conductivity anisotropy factors had to be tested in order to describe streamflow in both catchments.
ISSN:0885-6087
1099-1085
DOI:10.1002/hyp.13471