Introduction

Question 1

Classification according to target variables:

Answer 1

 Rainfall-runoff-models (RR-Models) → Floods (Q)

 Water balance models  Water balance (Q, ETR, Rx)

 Ecohydrological models  nutrients (N, P, …)

 Groundwater models → groundwater flow, mass transport

Question 2

Classification according to purpose:

Answer 2

 Forecast → real time forecast, operational model (e.g. floods)

 Prognosis (Simulation) → planning, design, impacts

 Research → formalisation and test of research hypotheses

Question 3

Objectives of rainfall-runoff modelling (focus here):

Answer 3

 Assessment of design floods (e.g. HQ100) for planning of dams (spillway, volume), flood control reservoirs, urban drainage networks, bridges, dikes, (height), inundation areas etc.

 Real time forecast of floods to issue flood warnings and operational control of reservoirs and polders

 Effect of flood protection measures, land use change, climate change on flood flows → Impact analyses

Question 4

Phases of rainfall runoff transformation:

Answer 4

1. Runoff generation:
    Which part of precipitation becomes flood runoff ?
    Separation of precipitation in effective rainfall and losses.
2. Runoff transformation (concentration):
    In which temporal distribution appears the effective rainfall at the outlet of the catchment?
    Includes basically all vertical and lateral processes involving transformation of surface runoff, interflow and base flow.
3. Flood routing:
    How travels and changes a flood wave along a river course?