Abstract:
To extend geographical coverage, refine spatial
resolution, and improve modeling efficiency, a computation and
data-intensive effort was conducted to organize a comprehensive
hydrologic data set with post-calibrated model
parameters for hydro-climate impact assessment. Several key
inputs for hydrologic simulation – including meteorologic
forcings, soil, land class, vegetation, and elevation – were
collected from multiple best-available data sources and organized
for 2107 hydrologic subbasins (8-digit hydrologic
units, HUC8s) in the conterminous US at refined 1/24◦
(∼ 4 km) spatial resolution. Using high-performance computing
for intensive model calibration, a high-resolution parameter
data set was prepared for the macro-scale variable infiltration
capacity (VIC) hydrologic model. The VIC simulation
was driven by Daymet daily meteorological forcing and
was calibrated against US Geological Survey (USGS) WaterWatch
monthly runoff observations for each HUC8. The
results showed that this new parameter data set may help reasonably
simulate runoff at most US HUC8 subbasins. Based
on this exhaustive calibration effort, it is now possible to accurately
estimate the resources required for further model improvement
across the entire conterminous US. We anticipate
that through this hydrologic parameter data set, the repeated
effort of fundamental data processing can be lessened, so that
research efforts can emphasize the more challenging task of
assessing climate change impacts. The pre-organized model
parameter data set will be provided to interested parties to
support further hydro-climate impact assessment.
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