Observation-Based Evaluation of Flood Estimation Techniques for a Small Snow-Dominated Basin in the Washington Cascade Mountains

Yan, Hongxiang; Duan, Zhuoran; Wigmosta, Mark S.; Sun, Ning; Gutmann, Ethan D.; Kruyt, Bert; Arnold, Jeffrey R.

doi:10.1061/jhyeff.heeng-6147

Observation-Based Evaluation of Flood Estimation Techniques for a Small Snow-Dominated Basin in the Washington Cascade Mountains

Journal Article · Thu Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Journal of Hydrologic Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/jhyeff.heeng-6147· OSTI ID:2477609

^[1]; Duan, Zhuoran ^[1]; Wigmosta, Mark S. ^[1]; ^[1]; Gutmann, Ethan D. ^[2]; Kruyt, Bert ^[2]; Arnold, Jeffrey R. ^[3]

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, CO (United States)
MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA (United States)

Here, this study examines the application of the recently developed next-generation intensity-duration-frequency (NG-IDF) curves in hydrological design, focusing on a small snow-dominated basin in Washington state. Four methods are used to assess the NG-IDF performance: (1) basin outlet flood frequency analysis, (2) use of standard precipitation-based intensity-duration-frequency (PREC-IDF) curves following surface water design manuals typically used in the basin, (3) utilization of locally constructed PREC-IDF curves, and (4) use of locally constructed NG-IDF curves. The standard PREC-IDF design method assumes precipitation as rainfall and neglecting snowmelt or rain-on-snow (ROS) events that can lead to significant flood underestimations in the test basin. In contrast, the NG-IDF method incorporates snow processes and shows promising improvements in accurately estimating design floods. The validation analysis demonstrates the superiority of NG-IDF over standard and local PREC-IDF in this test basin. The study highlights the necessity for adjustments in current design manuals to ensure sufficient flood protection, particularly in light of the planned substantial investments in US infrastructure.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); USDOD

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830; AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 2477609

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA--189770

Journal Information:: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 29; ISSN 1084-0699

Publisher:: American Society of Civil EngineersCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Observation-Based Evaluation of Flood Estimation Techniques for a Small Snow-Dominated Basin in the Washington Cascade Mountains

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