Navigating Large-Scale Hydrology: Advancements in Model Development, Evaluation, and Application

Abstract

Integrated, physics-based hydrologic models are valuable tools for betterunderstanding large-scale hydrologic processes. These models, which represent subsurface, surface, and energy budget components at high resolutions, can facilitate scientific inquiry of the complex interactions within large-scale hydrologic systems. Integrated models have been increasingly applied at large scales to understand complex hydrologic processes, with applications ranging from climate induced changes in water balance partitioning to operational flood forecasting. This dissertation explores the multifaceted steps involved in driving model progress and development to enable the use of large-scale hydrologic models for water resources applications. The research presented in this dissertation outlines key steps necessary for the advancement of physics-based, large-scale hydrologic modeling, including model evaluation and intercomparison techniques to comprehensively assess model performance and biases. It further discusses strategies to improve model inputs and enhance the representation of subsurface processes in large-scale hydrologic models, critical for refining the predictive capabilities of large-scale hydrologic simulations. Finally, it explores the practical application of these models in studying groundwater depletion, offering a novel methodology for locally relevant, long-term depletion estimates. This work provides valuable insights into the future of sustainable management of vital water resources. Through a comprehensive examination of these aspects of hydrologic modeling at continental scales, this dissertation contributes to the advancement of large-scale hydrologic modeling, offering a foundation for informed decision-making in sustainable water resource management efforts.