Modifications to a Rainfall-Streamflow model to handle "non-stationarity"

Abstract

This paper explores the variation in hydrological response (often termed as non-stationarity, though this is not necessarily the correct use in the statistical meaning of this term) through time for the Bani catchment in Africa (mostly located in Mali). The objective is to identify deficiencies in the ability of the model to capture the variation in the hydrologic response of the catchment, and modify the model to capture this variation. Due to the large catchment area (approximately 103 000 km2), the unit hydrograph component of the model was modified to permit the model to be used at a daily timescale. Further, an additional driver (population growth) needed to be included in order to adequately capture the transition from a perennial to an ephemeral river.