Scale dependency in modeling nivo-glacial hydrological systems: the case of the Arolla basin, Switzerland
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_FE5B1043C86F
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Scale dependency in modeling nivo-glacial hydrological systems: the case of the Arolla basin, Switzerland
Journal
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
ISSN
1607-7938
Publication state
Published
Issued date
26/03/2025
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
29
Number
6
Pages
1725-1748
Language
english
Abstract
Hydrological modeling in alpine catchments poses unique challenges due to the complex interplay of meteorological, topographical, geological, and glaciological drivers with streamflow generation. A significant issue arises from the limited availability of streamflow data due to the scarcity of high-elevation gauging stations. Consequently, there is a pressing need to assess whether streamflow models that are calibrated with moderate-elevation streamflow data can be effectively transferred to higher-elevation catchments, notwithstanding differences in the relative importance of different streamflow-generation processes. Here, we investigate the spatial transferability of calibrated temperature-index melt model parameters within a semi-lumped modeling framework. We focus on evaluating the melt model transferability from the main catchment to nested and neighboring subcatchments in the Arolla valley, southwestern Swiss Alps. We use the Hydrobricks modeling framework to simulate streamflow, implementing three variants of a temperature-index snow and ice melt model (the classical degree-day model, the aspect-related model, and the Hock temperature-index model). Through an analysis of streamflow simulations, benchmark metrics consisting of resampled and bootstrapped discharge time series, and model performance metrics, we demonstrate that robust parameter transferability and accurate streamflow simulation are possible across diverse spatial scales. This finding is conditional upon the melt model applied, with melt models using more spatial information leading to convergence of the model parameters until we observe overparameterization. We conclude that simple semi-lumped models can be used to extend hydrological simulations to ungauged catchments in alpine regions and improve high-elevation water resource management and planning efforts, especially in the context of climate change.
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation
Create date
26/03/2025 11:26
Last modification date
02/04/2025 7:08