Functionalities of surface depressions in runoff routing and hydrologic connectivity modeling

Hydrologic processes in depression-dominated areas are controlled by the spatial distribution of surface depressions and their dynamic hydrologic connectivity. Existing models often utilize lumped ways to handle depressions, hence features lost this simplification process. In study, a unique watershed-scale, semi-distributed model accounting for connectivity (HYDROL-DC) is developed functionalities runoff generation respectively quantified introducing two concepts depression impact coefficient connected area. Unlike other models, new modeling framework proposed HYDROL-DC facilitate separate puddle-based units, off-stream channel-based on-stream units each subbasin. was applied Edmore Coulee watershed North Dakota. The results showed that significantly influenced capacities were mainly dominated storages distributions depressions. subbasin with similar storage, depending on fully-filled varied within range. With increase variation range exhibited progressive hierarchical pattern. Additionally, “blocked” pathways water from activated topographic associated outlet subbasin, such “blocking” function became significant as more fully filled.