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LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Evaluating a hydrological flood routing function for implementation into a hydrological energy model

Pelin, Victor LU and Pålsson, Alexander LU (2012) In TVVR11/5010 VVR820 20112
Division of Water Resources Engineering
Abstract
In 2011 the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) released new data for the streamflow in the
Columbia River. This extends the previous database record (1928-1999) to include the last nine years
(1999-2008). Thomson Reuters Point Carbon are using this database to apply their proprietary
hydrological HBV-type energy model in the Columbia River and therefore need a complete
understanding of the data and the methods behind them.
This master thesis aims at understanding the different aspects of hydrological routing in general and
more specifically in the Columbia River and to develop a hydrological routing function. The routing
function should be simple yet robust and applicable in areas where data is scarce.
A routing routine... (More)
In 2011 the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) released new data for the streamflow in the
Columbia River. This extends the previous database record (1928-1999) to include the last nine years
(1999-2008). Thomson Reuters Point Carbon are using this database to apply their proprietary
hydrological HBV-type energy model in the Columbia River and therefore need a complete
understanding of the data and the methods behind them.
This master thesis aims at understanding the different aspects of hydrological routing in general and
more specifically in the Columbia River and to develop a hydrological routing function. The routing
function should be simple yet robust and applicable in areas where data is scarce.
A routing routine based on the ”cascade of reservoir” routing technique, similar to the one used in the
SSARR model, is developed. The routine is verified by using the parameter values and the average
daily unregulated routed flow (ARF) data provided by the BPA. A methodology for parameter
estimation, in Columbia River and in the general case, is developed. For the general case where the
parameters are unknown, two alternative parameters estimation methods are presented, one method
that can be used with a scarce amount of data and a second one for when additional data is available.
The overall effects of routing in the Columbia River catchment are relatively small. There are apparent
lag times of around 2-3 days and noticeable flow attenuation between the dams Mica (headwaters) and
The Dalles (distance 1300 km). Most of the water in the Columbia River enters as tributaries or local
inflows along the flow path; this reduces the effects of routing at The Dalles. The reasonableness of
the routing routine is evaluated with the Muskingum method. The Muskingum parameter values are
calibrated to fit the effects of routing between Mica and The Dalles, produced by the routing routine.
The calibrated Muskingum parameters are evaluated and considered to be reasonable. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Pelin, Victor LU and Pålsson, Alexander LU
supervisor
organization
course
VVR820 20112
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Hydrological routing, cascade of reservoirs, Columbia River, Muskingum
publication/series
TVVR11/5010
report number
11/5010
ISSN
1101-9824
language
English
additional info
Examiner: Ronny Berndtsson
id
2372430
date added to LUP
2012-03-20 08:34:07
date last changed
2019-03-29 09:23:08
@misc{2372430,
  abstract     = {{In 2011 the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) released new data for the streamflow in the 
Columbia River. This extends the previous database record (1928-1999) to include the last nine years 
(1999-2008). Thomson Reuters Point Carbon are using this database to apply their proprietary 
hydrological HBV-type energy model in the Columbia River and therefore need a complete 
understanding of the data and the methods behind them. 
This master thesis aims at understanding the different aspects of hydrological routing in general and 
more specifically in the Columbia River and to develop a hydrological routing function. The routing 
function should be simple yet robust and applicable in areas where data is scarce. 
A routing routine based on the ”cascade of reservoir” routing technique, similar to the one used in the 
SSARR model, is developed. The routine is verified by using the parameter values and the average 
daily unregulated routed flow (ARF) data provided by the BPA. A methodology for parameter 
estimation, in Columbia River and in the general case, is developed. For the general case where the 
parameters are unknown, two alternative parameters estimation methods are presented, one method 
that can be used with a scarce amount of data and a second one for when additional data is available. 
The overall effects of routing in the Columbia River catchment are relatively small. There are apparent 
lag times of around 2-3 days and noticeable flow attenuation between the dams Mica (headwaters) and 
The Dalles (distance 1300 km). Most of the water in the Columbia River enters as tributaries or local 
inflows along the flow path; this reduces the effects of routing at The Dalles. The reasonableness of 
the routing routine is evaluated with the Muskingum method. The Muskingum parameter values are 
calibrated to fit the effects of routing between Mica and The Dalles, produced by the routing routine. 
The calibrated Muskingum parameters are evaluated and considered to be reasonable.}},
  author       = {{Pelin, Victor and Pålsson, Alexander}},
  issn         = {{1101-9824}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{TVVR11/5010}},
  title        = {{Evaluating a hydrological flood routing function for implementation into a hydrological energy model}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}