IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON

MSc EXAMINATION 20XX

HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

This paper also forms part of the relevant examination for the
Diploma of Imperial College

PLEASE NOTE THE CONTENT OF THIS MODULE WAS PARTIALLY

REVISED IN 2020/21 AND SOME OF THE MATERIAL MIGHT NOT
HAVE BEEN COVERED

CIVE7045- Rainfall-Runoff Modelling and Flood Hydrology

Day: May 20XX Duration: 1h

Answer TWO questions

All questions carry equal marks

Please answer each question in a SEPARATE answer book

© 20XX Imperial College London

Page 1 of 4
CIVE70045 – HWRM
1. Answer all parts of this question

(a) Explain, including a diagram, the uncertainty of flow observations based on the stage-
discharge relationship.
[5 marks]

(b) Explain the role of objective functions in parameter calibration. Give two examples and
explain their strengths and weaknesses.
[5 marks]

(c) Describe the concept of global sensitivity analysis. Include figures to represent the
different expected cases.
[6 marks]

(d) Mention the four weaknesses of the parameter regression method in the context of
regionalisation.
[4 marks]

Page 2 of 4
CIVE70045 – HWRM
 2. Answer all parts of this question

(a) Describe three main limitations and two advantages of the Curve Number Method
when it is used as an empirical soil moisture accounting model.
[5 marks]

(b) Define the regionalisation problem and state three situations where regionalisation
methods are required.
[5 marks]

(c) Why is it challenging to simulate flood inundation globally?

[2 marks]

(d) You have been asked to provide monthly flow predictions when using the rainfall-
runoff model, which has the generalised name ABC. The following Table 2.1
summarises 15 model parameterisations of this model and the minimum simulated
flow during summer.

Use the Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method to provide

predictions of the average minimum flow during summer. For this, you will need to
assume a behavioural threshold value; explain the reasons of your assumption.

Table 2.1

Simulations: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
NSE 0.11 0.53 0.79 0.7 0.16 0 0.36 0.83 0.75 -0.1 0.31 0.26 0.68 0.12 0.43
Min flow at 1.3 5.9 10.8 9.4 4.0 1.2 4.8 11.3 10.8 0.6 4.7 4.4 5.9 2.9 5
summer
(m3s-1)

[8 marks]

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CIVE70045 – HWRM
3. Answer all parts of this question

(a) Cite five assumptions made when using the Network Width Function.
[5 marks]

(b) Describe the runoff production concept in the Probability Distributed Model [PDM);
support your description with a diagram.
[8 marks]

(c) Describe 4 source of uncertainty in hydrological modelling.

[4 marks]

(d) Describe the concept of parameter interaction in model calibration.

[3 marks]

Page 4 of 4
CIVE70045 – HWRM