Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara Previously Published Works bannerUC Santa Barbara

An empirical-stochastic, event-based program for simulating inflow from a tributary network: Framework and application to the Sacramento River basin, California

Abstract

A stochastic streamflow program was developed to simulate inflow to a large river from a network of gauged tributaries. The program uses historical streamflow data from major tributary gauges near their confluence with the main stem and combines them stochastically to represent spatial and temporal patterns in flood events. It incorporates seasonality, event basis, and correlation in flood occurrence and flood peak magnitude between basins. The program produces synchronous tributary inflow hydrographs, which when combined and routed, reproduce observed main stem hydrograph characteristics, including peak, volume, shape, duration, and timing. Verification of the program is demonstrated using daily streamflow data from primary tributary and main stem gauges in the Sacramento River basin, California. The program is applied to simulating flow at ungauged main stem locations, assessing risk in fluvial systems, and detecting bed level change.

Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View