Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Data release in support of Runoff sensitivity to snow depletion curve representation within a continental scale hydrologic model

May 18, 2020

This data release includes simulation output from a modeling experiment conducted using the initial calibration of the conterminous United States (CONUS) application of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) (Hay, 2019) as implemented in the National Hydrologic Model (NHM) infrastructure (Regan et al, 2018). The study associated with this data release (Sexstone et al., 2019) used the same calibrated baseline version of the NHM-PRMS that is described in detail within Hay (2019) to evaluate the sensitivity of simulated runoff to the representation of snow depletion curves (SDCs) within the NHM-PRMS across the CONUS. The model experiment consisted of seven NHM-PRMS model simulations using the calibrated NHM-PRMS model parameters from Hay (2019). For each of the model simulations, the calibrated SDCs (Hay, 2019) were replaced with a single SDC derived based on a lognormal probability distribution function and assigned snow water equivalent coefficient of variation (CV) value. The seven CV values ranged from 0.1 to 2.0. Each of the simulations were completed at a daily time-step over a 14-year period (2003 � 2016). Sexstone et al., (2019) provide details and summarize findings of the modeling experiment. A description of the model domain and hydrologic response units (HRUs), model setup, and calibrated parameters can be found in Hay (2019) and references therein. The SDC parameters used in this model experiment are provided by this data release. Furthermore, the attached NHM-PRMS variable table lists the selected output variables included in this data release. The individual *.csv files follow a naming convention of nhru_variable name_CVX.X.csv. The variable names included are defined further in NHM-PRMS variable table. The �CVX.X� denotes the CV value that was used to derive the SDC for the model simulation. The structure of each output file includes a header line which labels the columns by the HRU identification number with each row providing daily outputs. An inventory of the files provided within this data release can be found below. This research used resources provided by the Core Science Analytics, Synthesis, & Libraries (CSASL) Advanced Research Computing (ARC) group at the U.S. Geological Survey. Inventory of data release: NHM-PRMS_SDC_study.xml (1 .xml file): FGDC-compliant metadata file for the data release files. SDC_params.csv (1 .csv file): Table of the seven snow depletion curve parameterizations used in the modeling study. NHM-PRMS_variable_table.docx (1 .docx file): Table describing the selected NHM-PRMS output variables provided in this data release. nhru_gwres_flow_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS groundwater discharge output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_hru_actet_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS actual evapotranspiration output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_hru_outflow_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS total flow output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_hru_ppt_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS precipitation output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_pkwater_equiv_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS snow water equivalent output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_potet_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS potential evapotranspiration output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_snow_evap_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS snow sublimation output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_snowcov_area_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS snow covered area output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_snowmelt_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS snowmelt output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_sroff_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS surface runoff output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. nhru_ssres_flow_CVX.X.csv (7 .csv files): NHM-PRMS interflow output for water years 2002 through 2016. Each of the 7 .csv files are labeled with the coefficient of variation (CV) value for the snow depletion curve that was used in the model simulation. References: Hay, L.E., 2019, Application of the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHM-PRMS), by HRU Calibrated Version: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NM8K8W. Regan, R.S., Markstrom, S.L., Hay, L.E., Viger, R.J., Norton, P.A., Driscoll, J.M., LaFontaine, J.H., 2018, Description of the National Hydrologic Model for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. B9, 38 p., accessed May 16, 2018, at https://doi.org/10.3133/tm6B9. Sexstone, G.A., Driscoll, J.M., Hay, L.E., Hammond, J.C., Barnhart T.B., 2019 (in review), Runoff sensitivity to snow depletion curve representation within a continental scale hydrologic model: submitted to Hydrological Processes.

Publication Year 2020
Title Data release in support of Runoff sensitivity to snow depletion curve representation within a continental scale hydrologic model
DOI 10.5066/P9OEIRJF
Authors Graham A Sexstone, Jessica M Driscoll
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog
USGS Organization Colorado Water Science Center - Main Office