Next-Generation Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves Considering Spatiotemporal Nonstationarity in Climate, Intense Precipitation Events, and Snowmelt
Abstract
Current hydrologic design of infrastructure relies on historical precipitation-based intensity-duration-frequency (PREC-IDF) curves. The PREC-IDF curves ignore snow processes by assuming that precipitation is in the form of rain, immediately available for the rainfall-runoff process. In snow-dominated regions where snowmelt and rain-on-snow (ROS) events are the dominant flood-generating mechanisms, the PREC-IDF design approach can lead to substantial underestimation or overestimation of design floods and associated infrastructure. Given the potential impacts of climate change, the historical PREC-IDF curves further increase infrastructure development risks because structures designed to meet traditional criteria could be under-designed under future climate conditions. The overarching research objective of this project is to develop a new hydrologic design tool-- the next-generation IDF (NG-IDF) curve-- that characterizes both snow process and nonstationary climate conditions, to better inform decisions regarding Department of Defense (DoD) long-lived infrastructure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1189853
Entities
People
- Hongxiang Yan
- Mark S. Wigmosta
- Ning Sun
- Ruby Leung
Organizations
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory