Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Validation and Use of a Semidistributed Hydrological Modeling System to Predict Short-Term Effects of Clear-Cutting on a Watershed Hydrological Regime

Martin-Pierre Lavigne Water, Earth, and Environment Center, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique–Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada

Search for other papers by Martin-Pierre Lavigne in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Alain N. Rousseau INRS-ETE, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada

Search for other papers by Alain N. Rousseau in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Richard Turcotte Quebec Hydrological Expertise Center, Environnement Quebec, Québec, Canada

Search for other papers by Richard Turcotte in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Anne-Marie Laroche Sector of Civil Engineering, Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Search for other papers by Anne-Marie Laroche in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Jean-Pierre Fortin INRS-ETE, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada

Search for other papers by Jean-Pierre Fortin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Jean-Pierre Villeneuve INRS-ETE, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada

Search for other papers by Jean-Pierre Villeneuve in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Mar 2004
Collections:
Land Use and Ecosystems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1087-3562(2004)008<0001:VAUOAS>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1–19
Restricted access

Abstract

The Gestion Intégrée des Bassins versants à l'aide d'un Système Informatisé (GIBSI), a semidistributed hydrological modeling system, was evaluated for its ability to simulate the impact of deforestation on the hydrological regime of the Famine River watershed (728 km2), a subwatershed of the Chaudière River, Québec, Canada. Annual, spring and summer, and low-water runoff, as well as peak flows, were estimated for both a base-case scenario and a deforestation scenario using 31 annual meteorological series. GIBSI simulated an average increase of annual runoff after clear-cutting of 57% (268 mm) and the proportion of runoff to precipitation increased from 40% to 63%. The average increase in spring runoff was 25%, while in summer it was 138%. For summer low-flow periods, GIBSI simulated an average increase in runoff of 102%. For spring and summer peak-flow rates, hydrographs generated by GIBSI showed that average spring peak flows were increased after deforestation by 26% while summer peak flows were increased by 101%. Differences between spring and summer runoffs as well as peak-flow rates are due to changes in the degree of saturation of the soil and actual evapotranspiration between the two scenarios. Hence, while land-use changes have a substantial impact on summer runoff and low flows, they have little impact on extreme peak-flow events, especially during spring (less than 10% or more than 90% nonexceeding probability). This suggests that land use has a limited role in controlling these extreme events. The simulation results obtained by GIBSI were consistent with those found in the literature. Therefore, GIBSI offers potential as a management tool for investigating prevention and reduction measures of deforestation effects on the hydrological regime of a watershed.

*Corresponding author address: Alain N. Rousseau, INRS-ETE, 2800 Einstein, C.P. 7500, Sainte-Foy, Québec G1V 4C7, Canada. alain_rousseau@inrs-ete.uquebec.ca

This article included in Land Use and Ecosystems special collection.

Abstract

The Gestion Intégrée des Bassins versants à l'aide d'un Système Informatisé (GIBSI), a semidistributed hydrological modeling system, was evaluated for its ability to simulate the impact of deforestation on the hydrological regime of the Famine River watershed (728 km2), a subwatershed of the Chaudière River, Québec, Canada. Annual, spring and summer, and low-water runoff, as well as peak flows, were estimated for both a base-case scenario and a deforestation scenario using 31 annual meteorological series. GIBSI simulated an average increase of annual runoff after clear-cutting of 57% (268 mm) and the proportion of runoff to precipitation increased from 40% to 63%. The average increase in spring runoff was 25%, while in summer it was 138%. For summer low-flow periods, GIBSI simulated an average increase in runoff of 102%. For spring and summer peak-flow rates, hydrographs generated by GIBSI showed that average spring peak flows were increased after deforestation by 26% while summer peak flows were increased by 101%. Differences between spring and summer runoffs as well as peak-flow rates are due to changes in the degree of saturation of the soil and actual evapotranspiration between the two scenarios. Hence, while land-use changes have a substantial impact on summer runoff and low flows, they have little impact on extreme peak-flow events, especially during spring (less than 10% or more than 90% nonexceeding probability). This suggests that land use has a limited role in controlling these extreme events. The simulation results obtained by GIBSI were consistent with those found in the literature. Therefore, GIBSI offers potential as a management tool for investigating prevention and reduction measures of deforestation effects on the hydrological regime of a watershed.

*Corresponding author address: Alain N. Rousseau, INRS-ETE, 2800 Einstein, C.P. 7500, Sainte-Foy, Québec G1V 4C7, Canada. alain_rousseau@inrs-ete.uquebec.ca

This article included in Land Use and Ecosystems special collection.

Save
Cover Earth Interactions
Earth Interactions

  • Beschta, R. L., M. R. Pyles, A. E. Skaugset, and C. G. Surfleet. 2000. Peakflow response to forest practices in the western Cascades of Oregon, USA. J. Hydrol 233:(1–4), 102–120.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Betters, D. R. 1975. Timber-water simulation model for lodgepole pine watersheds in the Colorado Rockies. Water Resour. Res 11:903–908.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bosh, J. M. and J. D. Hewlett. 1982. A review of catchment experiments to determine the effect of vegetation changes on water yield and evapotranspiration. J. Hydrol 55:3–23.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brandt, M., A. Bergström, and M. Gardelin. 1988. Modelling the effects of clear-cutting on runoff: Examples from central Sweden. Ambio 17:307–313.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Caissie, D., S. Jolioeur, M. Bouchard, and E. Poncet. 2002. Comparison of streamflow between pre and post timber harvesting in Catamaran Brook (Canada). J. Hydrol 258:(1–4), 232–248.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Calver, A. 1988. Calibration, sensitivity and validation of a physically-based rainfall-runoff model. J. Hydrol 103:(1–2), 103–115.

  • Chow, V. E., D. R. Maidment, and L. W. Mays. 1988. Applied Hydrology. McGraw-Hill Series in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York, 572 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DeWalle, D. R. 2003. Forest hydrology revisited. Hydrol. Process 17:1255–1256.

  • Dickinson, W. T. 1982. . Distributed watershed models for the Marmot Basin, paper presented at Proceedings of the Canadian Hydrology Symposium: Hydrological Processes of Forested Areas; National Research Council of Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 14–15 June, 441–462.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eeles, C. W. O. and J. R. Blackie. 1993. Land-use changes in the Balquhidder catchments simulated by a daily streamflow model. J. Hydrol 145:(3–4), 315–336.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Federer, C. A. 1982. Frequency and intensity of drought in New Hampshire forest: Evaluation by the Brook model, in Applied Modeling in Catchment Hydrology (Proceedings of the International Symposium on Rainfall-Runoff Modeling), edited by V. P. Singh, Water Resources Publication, Colorado, 459–470.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Federer, C. A. and D. Lash. 1978. Simulated streamflow response to possible differences in transpiration among species of hardwood trees. Water Resour. Res 14:1089–1097.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fortin, V. 2001. . Le modèle météo-apport HSAMI: Historique, théorie et application, Rapport de recherche, révision 1.5, Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ), 68 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fortin, J-P., R. Moussa, C. Bocquillon, and J-P. Villeneuve. 1995. HYDROTEL, un modèle hydrologique distribué pouvant bénéficier des données fournies par la télédétection et les systèmes d'information géographique. Rev. Sci. Eau 8:97–124.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fortin, J-P., R. Turcotte, S. Massicotte, R. Moussa, and J. Fitzback. 2001a. Distributed watershed model compatible with remote sensing and GIS data. I: Description of model. J. Hydrol. Eng 6:(2), 91–99.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fortin, J-P., R. Turcotte, S. Massicotte, R. Moussa, and J. Fitzback. 2001b. Distributed watershed model compatible with remote sensing and GIS data. II: Application to the Chaudière watershed. J. Hydrol. Eng 6:(2), 100–108.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hornbeck, J. W., R. S. Pierce, and C. A. Federer. 1970. Streamflow changes after forest clearing in New England. Water Resour. Res 6:(4), 1124–1132.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hornbeck, J. W., M. B. Adams, E. S. Corbett, E. S. Verry, and J. A. Lynch. 1993. Long-term impacts of forest treatments on water yield: A summary for northeastern USA. J. Hydrol 150:(2–4). 323–344.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Keppeler, E. T. and R. R. Ziemer. 1990. Logging effects on streamflow: Water yield and summer low flows at Casper Creek in northwestern California. Water Resour. Res 26:(7). 1669–1979.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Leaf, C. F. and R. R. Alexander. 1975. Simulating timber yields and hydrologic impacts resulting from timber harvest on subalpine watersheds. USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-133, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado, 20 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Linacre, E. T. 1977. A simple formula for estimating evaporation rates in various climates using temperature data alone. Agric. Meteorol 18:409–424.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lukey, B. T., J. Sheffield, J. C. Bathurst, R. A. Hiley, and N. Mathys. 2000. Test of the SHETRAN technology for modelling the impact of reforestation on badlands runoff and sediment yield at Draix, France. J. Hydrol 235:44–62.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Martin, C. W., J. W. Hornbeck, G. E. Likens, and D. C. Buso. 2000. Impacts of intensive harvesting on hydrology and nutrient dynamics of northern hardwood forests. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci 57:(Suppl. 2), 19–29.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Meuser, A. 1990. Effects of afforestation on run-off characteristics. Agric. For. Meteorol 50:(1–2), 125–138.

  • Monteith, J. L. 1965. Evaporation and the environment, in The State and Movement of Water in Living Organisms: 19th Symposium of the Society for Experimental Biology, edited by G.E. Fogg and P.G. Kohn, Cambridge University Press, London, 205–234.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nash, J. E. and J. V. Sutcliffe. 1970. River flow forecasting through conceptual models. Part I—A discussion of principles. J. Hydrol 10:(3), 282–290.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nicolson, J. A., N. W. Foster, and I. K. Morrison. 1982. . Forest harvesting effects on water quality and nutrient status in the boreal forest, paper presented at Proceedings of the Canadian Hydrology Symposium: Hydrological Processes of Forested Areas, National Research Council of Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 14–15 June, 71–89.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ordre des Ingénieurs Forestiers du Québec, 1996. Hydrologie forestière et aménagement du bassin hydrographique,. in Manuel de Foresterie, Presses de l'Université Laval, St-Nicolas, Québec, 281–329.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Penman, H. L. 1948. Natural evaporation from open water, bare soil, and grass. Proc. Roy. Soc. London Ser 193A:120–145.

  • Plamondon, A. P. 1993. Influence des coupes forestières sur le régime d'écoulement de l'eau et sa qualité: Revue de littérature. Faculté de foresterie et de géomatique, Centre de Recherche en Biologie Forestière, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Québec, 179 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pomeroy, J. W., R. J. Granger, A. Pietroniro, J. E. Elliot, B. Toth, and N. Hedstrom. 1997. Hydrological pathways in the Prince Albert Model Forest:. Final report. Environnement Canada, National Hydrology Research Institute; Sasketoon, Saskatchewan, Contribution Series No. CS-97004, 133 pp.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Priestley, C. H. B. and R. J. Taylor. 1972. On the assessment of surface heat flux and evaporation using large scale parameters. Mon. Weather Rev 100:81–92.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rousseau, A. N., A. Mailhot, R. Turcotte, M. Duchemin, C. Blanchette, M. Roux, N. Etong, J. Dupont, and J-P. Villeneuve. 2000a. GIBSI—An integrated modelling prototype for river basin management. Hydrobiologia 422:–423. 465–475.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rousseau, A. N., A. Mailhot, and J-P. Villeneuve. 2000b. La gestion intégrée de l'eau par bassin versant: Problématique, éléments de solution et exemples d'application du système informatisé GIBSI. Vecteur Environ 33:(5), 27–54.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ryan, J. A. 1979. Evaluation of hydrologic modeling techniques for forest land management planning. Water Resour. Bull 15:(2), 461–472.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stednick, J. D. 1996. Monitoring the effects of timber harvest on annual water yield. J. Hydrol 176:(1–4), 79–95.

  • Storck, P., L. Bowling, P. Wetherbee, and D. Lettenmaier. 1998. Application of GIS-based distributed model for prediction of forest harvest effects on peak stream flow in the Pacific Northwest. Hydrol. Process 12:(6), 889–904.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Swift, L. W,Jr, W. T. Swank, J. B. Mankin, R. J. Luxmoore, and R. A. Goldstein. 1975. Simulation of evapotranspiration and drainage from mature and clear-cut deciduous forests and young pine plantation. Water Resour. Res 11:(5), 667–673.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thornthwaite, C. W. 1948. An approach toward a rational classification of climate. Geogr. Rev 38:55–94.

  • Turcotte, R., J-P. Fortin, A. N. Rousseau, S. Massicotte, and J-P. Villeneuve. 2001. Determination of the drainage structure of a watershed using a digital elevation model and a digital river and lake network. J. Hydrol 240:(3–4), 225–242.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Turcotte, R., A. N. Rousseau, J-P. Fortin, and J-P. Villeneuve. 2003. Process-oriented, multiple-objective, calibration strategy accounting for model structure. Water Science & Application Series, Vol. 6, Calibration of Watershed Models,. edited by Q. Duan, H.V. Gupta, S. Sooroshian, A.N. Rousseau, and R. Turcotte, AGU, Washington, DC, 153–163.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Villeneuve, J-P., C. Blanchette, M. Duchemin, N. Etong, D. Maheu, A. Mailhot, A. Martin, A. N. Rousseau, S. Trépanier, and R. Turcotte. 1998. Rapport Final du projet GIBSI : Gestion Intégrée des Bassins versant à l'aide d'un Système Informatisé. INRS-Eau, Ste-Foy, Québec, Rapport Final No. R-462, 971 pp. + appendixes.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wynn, T. M., S. Mostaghimi, J. W. Frazee, P. W. McClellan, R. M. Shaffer, and W. M. Aust. 2000. Effects of forest harvesting best management practices on surface water quality in the Virginia Coastal Plain. Trans. ASAE 43:(4), 927–936.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 589 232 14
PDF Downloads 140 56 5