Title: Simulator for Hydrologic Unstructured Domains (SHUD v1.0): numerical modeling of watershed hydrology with the finite volume method

Abstract

Abstract. Hydrologic modeling is an essential strategy for understanding and predicting natural flows, particularly where observations are lacking in either space or time or where complex terrain leads to a disconnect in the characteristic time and space scales of overland and groundwater flow. However, significant difficulties remain for the development of efficient and extensible modeling systems that operate robustly across complex regions. This paper introduces the Simulator for Hydrologic Unstructured Domains (SHUD), an integrated, multiprocess, multiscale, flexible-time-step model, in which hydrologic processes are fully coupled using the finite volume method. SHUD integrates overland flow, snow accumulation/melt, evapotranspiration, subsurface flow, groundwater flow, and river routing, thus allowing physical processes in general watersheds to be realistically captured. SHUD incorporates one-dimensional unsaturated flow, two-dimensional groundwater flow, and a fully connected river channel network with hillslopes supporting overland flow and baseflow. The paper introduces the design of SHUD, from the conceptual and mathematical description of hydrologic processes in a watershed to the model's computational structures. To demonstrate and validate the model performance, we employ three hydrologic experiments: the V-catchment experiment, Vauclin's experiment, and a model study of the Cache Creek Watershed in northern California. Ongoing applications of the SHUD model include hydrologic analyses ofmore » hillslope to regional scales (1 m2 to 106 km2), water resource and stormwater management, and interdisciplinary research for questions in limnology, agriculture, geochemistry, geomorphology, water quality, ecology, climate and land-use change. The strength of SHUD is its flexibility as a scientific and resource evaluation tool where modeling and simulation are required.« less

Authors:

Shu, Lele ;

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Shu, Lele"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-6903-4466"

Ullrich, Paul A.; Duffy, Christopher J.

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Duffy, Christopher J."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-0080-6445"

Publication Date:

Thu Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2020

Research Org.:

Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC)

OSTI Identifier:

1633828

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1803078

Grant/Contract Number:  

SC0016605

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Geoscientific Model Development (Online)

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Geoscientific Model Development (Online) Journal Volume: 13 Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 1991-9603

Publisher:

Copernicus Publications, EGU

Country of Publication:

Germany

Language:

English

Subject:

58 GEOSCIENCES; Geology