HR: 0800h
AN: U41C-0629 [Abstracts]
TI: Modeling Runoff on the North Slope of Alaska Using the HBV Model
AU: * Youcha, E K
EM: fneky@uaf.edu
AF: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Water and Environmental Research Center, PO Box 755860, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AU: Trochim, E
EM: erin.trochim@gmail.com
AF: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Water and Environmental Research Center, PO Box 755860, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AU: Kane, D L
EM: ffdlk@uaf.edu
AF: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Water and Environmental Research Center, PO Box 755860, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AB:
The Arctic fresh water hydrologic cycle is dominated by the melting of the seasonal snow cover and scattered
precipitation events during the summer months. The HBV model has been applied in the Imnavait and Upper
Kuparuk basins, located in the headwaters of the Kuparuk River on the North Slope, to examine runoff during
spring and summer months. HBV is a semi-distributed conceptual model and was developed in 1975 by the
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Simple data inputs and robust predictive capacity make HBV
an attractive method for modeling discharge, particularly in basins with limited data. Current work has focused on
calibrating the Imnaviat model with greater precision using historical meteorological and discharge data from
1988 to present. We are now developing new models for the larger Upper Kuparuk and Putuligayuk watersheds
on the North Slope. Additional uses for the model include predicting discharge for ungaged North Slope basins
east of the Kuparuk such as the Kadleroshilik and the Kavik. Parameter calibration initially begins with HBV-light,
a scaled-down version of the model which is used to examine parameter sensitivity using a Monte Carlo
procedure. Principle component analysis is then used to examine the interaction between the parameters and
each year of the model run. An optimized set of parameters common to all calibrating years is developed and
tested on additional data from gaged and ungaged basins. Existing research on ablation characteristics and
precipitation correction is used to modify the associated parameters in HBV. Permafrost affects, such as the
timing of active layer development, are integrated into the runoff response routine to produce a more accurate
physical representation. Challenges associated with modeling larger watersheds include more spatially
distributed processes and limited available data for model calibration.
DE: 0702 Permafrost (0475)
DE: 0740 Snowmelt
DE: 1847 Modeling
DE: 1860 Streamflow
SC: Union [U]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting