Multi-scale hydrometeorological observation and modelling for flash flood understanding
2014
This paper presents a coupled observation and
modelling strategy aiming at improving the understanding of
processes triggering flash floods. This strategy is illustrated
for the Mediterranean area using two French catchments
(Gard and Ardeche) larger than 2000 km2. The approach is
based on the monitoring of nested spatial scales: (1) the hillslope scale, where processes influencing the runoff generation
and its concentration can be tackled; (2) the small to medium
catchment scale (1-100 km2), where the impact of the network
structure and of the spatial variability of rainfall, landscape
and initial soil moisture can be quantified; (3) the larger
scale (100-1000 km2), where the river routing and flooding
processes become important. These observations are part of
the HyMeX (HYdrological cycle in the Mediterranean EXperiment)
enhanced observation period (EOP), which will
last 4 years (2012-2015). In terms of hydrological modelling,
the objective is to set up regional-scale models, while addressing
small and generally ungauged catchments, which
represent the scale of interest for flood risk assessment. Topdown and bottom-up approaches are combined and the models are used as “hypothesis testing” tools by coupling model
development with data analyses in order to incrementally
evaluate the validity of model hypotheses. The paper first
presents the rationale behind the experimental set-up and
the instrumentation itself. Second, we discuss the associated
modelling strategy. Results illustrate the potential of the approach in advancing our understanding of flash flood processes on various scales.
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