Skip to main content

Scale Considerations

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 345))

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of changing hydrological processes with changing hydrological scale. The nature and effects of heterogenity in catchment topography, soils and rainfalls are discussed and the idea of the representative elementary area for runoff production is introduced. The joint problem of hillslope response and channel routing at different scales is considered, including the tendency to apparent linearity of response at larger scales. Finally a framework for considering the hydrological similarity of catchments with different characteristics and different scales is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Acreman, M. C., and C. D. Sinclair: 1986, ‘Classification of Drainage Basins According to Their Physical Characteristics: An Application for Flood Frequency Analysis in Scotland,’ J Hydrology 84, 365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amorocho, J.: 1963, ‘Measures of the Linearity of Hydrologic Systems,’ J Geophys. Res. 68, 2237–2249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, B. C., and D. H. Pilgrim: 1982, ‘Investigation of Storage-Discharge Relations for River Reaches and Runoff Routing Models,’ in Institution of Civil Engineers, Australia, Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, 120–126, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1977, ‘Hillslope Hydrographs by the Finite Element Method,’ Earth Surface Processes 2, 13–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1978, ‘The Hydrological Response of Headwater and Sideslope Areas,’ Hydrological Sciences Bulletin 23(4), 419–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1979a, ‘Experiments with a Finite Element Model of Hillslope Hydrology - the Effect of Topography,’ in Surface and Subsurface Hydrology, Proceedings of the Third International Hydrology Symposium, Water Resources Publications, Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1979b, ‘On the Generalised Kinematic Routing Method,’ Water Resources Research 15(5), 1238–1242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1986, ‘Hillslope Runoff Processes and Flood Frequency Characteristics,’ in A. D. Abrahams (ed.), Hillslope Processes, 187–202, Allen and Unwin, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J.: 1990, ‘Spatially Distributed Modelling: Conceptual Approaches to Runoff Production,’ this volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J., and M. J. Kirkby: 1979, ‘A Physically-based Variable Contributing Area Model of Basin Hydrology,’ Hydrological Sciences Bulletin 24(1), 43–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J., and E. E Wood: 1983, ‘Catchment Geomorphology and the Dynamics of Runoff Contributing Areas,’ J. Hydrology 65, 139–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beven, K. J., M. J. Kirkby, N. Schoffield, and A. Tagg: 1984, ‘Testing a Physically-Based Flood Forecasting Model (TOPMODEL) for Three UK Catchments,’ J Hydrology 69, 119–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binley, A. M., J. Elgy, and K. J. Beven: 1989, ‘A Physically-Based Model of Heterogeneous Hillslopes,’ Water Resources Research 25, 1219–1226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blyth, K., and J. C. Rodda: 1973, ‘A Stream Length Study,’ Water Resources Research 9, 1454–1461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, R. H., and A. T. Corey: 1966, ‘Properties of Porous Media Affecting Fluid Flow,’ J. Irrig. Drain. Div. ASCE 92, 61–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt, T. P., and B. P. Arkie: 1986, ‘Variable Source Areas of Stream Discharge and their Relationship to Point and Non-point Sources of Nitrate Pollution,’ LASH 157, 155–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dooge, J. C. I.: 1982, ‘Parameterization of Hydrologic Processes’, in P. S. Eagleson (ed.), Land Surface Processes in Atmospheric General Circulation Models, 243–288, Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, T.: 1978, ‘Field Studies of Hillslope Flow Processes,’ in M. J. Kirkby (ed.), Hillslope Hydrology, 227–293, Wiley, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, T.: 1980, ‘Formation and Controls of Channel Networks,’ Progress in Physical Geography 4, 211–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeze, R. A.: 1980, ‘A Stochastic-Conceptual Analysis of Rainfall-Runoff Processes on a Hillslope,’ Water Resources Research 16, 391–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, V. K., E. Waymire, and C. T. Wang: 1980, ‘A Representation of the Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph from Geomorphology,’ Water Resources Research 16, 855–862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurnell, A. M.: 1978, ‘The Dynamics of a Drainage Network,’ Nordic Hydrology 9, 293–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewlett, J. D.: 1974, “Comments on Letters Relating to ‘Role of Subsurface Flow in Generating Surface Runoff. 2. Upstream Source Areas’ by R. Allen Freeze,” Water Resources Research 10, 605–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton, R. E.: 1945, ‘Erosional Development of Streams and their Drainage Basins: Hydrophysical Approach to Quantitative Morphology,’ Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. 56, 275–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izzard, C. E: 1946, ‘Hydraulics of Runoff from Developed Surfaces,’ Proc. Highway Res. Bd. 26,129–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby, M. J.: 1976, ‘Tests of the Random Network Model and its Application to Basin Hydrology,’ Earth Surf. Process. 1, 197–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby, M. J., and R. J. Chorley: 1967, ‘Throughflow, Overland Flow and Erosion,’ Bull. I.A.S.H. 12, 5–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemec, V: 1983, ‘Conceptualisation and Scale in Hydrology,’ J Hydrology 65, 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesa, O. J., and E. R. Mifflin: 1986, ‘On the Relative Role of Hillslope and Network Geometry in Hydrologic Response,’ in V. K. Gupta, I. Rodriguez-Iturbe, and E. F. Wood (eds.), Scale Problems in Hydrology, 1–17, Reidel, Dordrecht.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Minshall, N. E.: 1960, ‘Predicting Storm Runoff on Small Experimental Watersheds,’ J. Hydraul. Div. ASCE 86(HY8), 17–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • NERC: 1975, The Flood Studies Report (5 volumes), Wallingford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newson, M. D.: 1980, ‘The Geomorphological Effectiveness of Floods - A Contribution Stimulated by Two Recent Events in Mid-Wales,’ Earth Surf Process. 5, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newson, M. D., and J. G. Harrison: 1978, ‘Channel Studies in the Plynlimon Experimental Catchments,’ Institute of Hydrology Report No 30, Wallingford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilgrim, D. H.: 1983, ‘Some Problems in Transferring Hydrological Relationships Between Small and Large Drainage Basins and Between Regions,’ J. Hydrology 65, 49–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Iturbe, I., and J. B. Valdes: 1979, ‘The Geomorphic Structure of Hydrologic Response’, Water Resources Research 15, 1409–1420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Iturbe, I., M. Gonzales-Sanabria, and R. L. Bras: 1982, ‘A Geomorphoclimatic Theory of the Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph,’ Water Resources Research 18, 877–886.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivapalan, M., and E. F. Wood: 1986, ‘Effect of Scale on the Infiltration Response in Spatially Variable Soils,’ in V. K. Gupta, I. Rodriguez-Iturbe, and E. E Wood (eds.), Scale Problems in Hydrology, Reidel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivapalan, M., K. J. Beven, and E. F. Wood: 1987, ‘On Hydrological Similarity: II. A Scaled Model of Storm Runoff Production,’ Water Resources Research 23(12), 2266–2278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivapalan, N., E. F. Wood, and K. J. Beven: 1990, ‘On Hydrological Similarity: III. A Dimensionless Flood Frequency Model using a Generalised Geomorphologic Unit Hydrograph and Partial Area Runoff Generation,’ Water Resources Research 26(1), 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. E., and R. H. B. Hebbert: 1979, ‘A Monte-Carlo Analysis of the Hydrologic Effects of Spatial Variability of Infiltration,’ Water Resources Research 15, 419–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler, A. N.: 1957, ‘Quantitative Analysis of Watershed Geomorphology,’ Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union 38, 913–920.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surkan, A. J.: 1969, ‘Synthetic Hydrographs: Effects of Network Geometry,’ Water Resources Research 5, 112–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C. T., V K. Gupta, and E. C. Waymire: 1981, ‘A Geomorphologic Synthesis of Non-Linearity in Surface-Runoff,’ Water Resources Research 17, 545–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weyman, D. R.: 1973, ‘Measurement of the Downslope Flow of Water in a Soil,’ J. Hydrology 3, 267–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, E. F., M. Sivapalan, K. Beven, and L. Band: 1988, ‘Effects of Spatial Variability and Scale with Implications to Hydrological Modelling,’ J. Hydrology 102, 29–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Beven, K. (1991). Scale Considerations. In: Bowles, D.S., O’Connell, P.E. (eds) Recent Advances in the Modeling of Hydrologic Systems. NATO ASI Series, vol 345. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3480-4_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3480-4_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5538-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3480-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics