Evaluation of flow direction methods against field observations of overland flow dispersion

Orlandini, Stefano; Moretti, Giovanni; Corticelli, Mauro Alessandro; Santangelo, Paolo Emilio; Capra, Alessandro; Rivola, Riccardo; Albertson, J. D.

doi:10.1029/2012wr012067

Cited by 39 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The analysis shown by Orlandini et al . [] reveals that the dispersion produced by multiple flow direction methods strongly depends on grid cell size, and suggests therefore that caution must indeed be exercised in the application of multiple flow direction methods for the description of overland flow dispersion. Even under a broad perspective, slope lines remain essential topographic attributes for the description of overland flows because (1) they provide the surface flow paths along which gravity‐driven, nondispersive flows of water and sediments extend, and (2) they provide the skeleton around which dispersive overland flow patterns are likely to develop.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical basis for determining slope lines in grid digital elevation models

2014

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[1] An analytical basis for the determination of slope lines in grid digital elevation models is provided by using the D8-LTD method (eight slope directions, least transverse deviation). The D8-LTD method's capability to predict consistently exact slope lines as the grid cell size goes to zero is shown analytically by applying mathematical analysis methods. The use of cumulative, least transverse deviations is found to be the key factor allowing for globally unbiased approximations of slope lines. The D8-LTD method's properties are also demonstrated numerically by using digital elevation models of a synthetic sloping surface obtained from the Himmelblau function. It is shown that slope lines obtained from the D8-LTD method can approximate the exact slope lines as close as desired by selecting a grid cell size that is small enough. In contrast, the standard D8 method is found to produce significantly biased results even when small grid cells are used. The D8-LTD method outperforms the D8 method over a wide range of grid cell sizes (up to 20 m in this application), beyond which grid cell size becomes too large to validly represent the underlying sloping surface. It is therefore concluded that the D8-LTD method should be used in preference to the standard D8 method in order to obtain slope lines that are only limited in reliability by the detail of topographic data, and not by the accuracy of the slope direction method applied.Citation: Orlandini, S., G. Moretti, and A. Gavioli (2014), Analytical basis for determining slope lines in grid digital elevation models, Water Resour. Res., 50, 526-539,

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical basis for determining slope lines in grid digital elevation models

2014

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“…McMaster (2002) found that both algorithms can perform equally well when deriving channel networks for steep terrain. Orlandini et al (2012) field tested the performance of six different eight and infinite directional routing algorithms, finding that network shapes were affected by grid cell size and that the planar dispersion represented in multi-direction flow algorithms decreased quickly as flow proceeded downslope. Flow direction information can be used to estimate the area of land contributing flow to a given cell as the sum of the areas of all upslope contributing cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of digital channel network derivation methods in a glaciated subalpine catchment

Hastings

Kampf

2014

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The digital elevation model (DEM) has become an essential tool for an increasing array of mountain runoff analyses, particularly the derivation and mapping of stream channel networks. This study examines how well commonly applied DEM‐based channel derivation methods at different spatial resolutions can represent the channel network for a glaciated Rocky Mountain headwater catchment. The specific objectives are to (1) examine how differences in gridded DEM resolution affect spatially distributed values of local slope, specific contributing area, and topographic wetness index derived from both eight and infinite directional flow algorithms, (2) map the actual stream channel network to examine the influence of surface variables on channel initiation, and (3) assess accuracy of DEM‐derived networks compared with the field surveyed network. Results show that for the same contributing area threshold, increasing grid cell size leads to increased channelization of modeled networks. A plot of local slope versus contributing area reveals a negative relationship similar to that of prior studies in un‐glaciated areas but with breaks in slope at contributing areas that are too small to represent thresholds for channelization. Field survey results and evaluation of DEM‐derived channel networks suggest that channel network formation is not clearly related to surface topographic variables at Loch Vale. Digitally derived channel networks do not accurately predict low order channel locations, but approximations of the channel network with drainage density and headward extent of channelization similar to the observed network can be derived with both a 1 m and 10 m DEM using a contributing area threshold of approximately 4x104 m2. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…The other approach is to set a single flow direction for each grid cell (nondispersive methods) considering other elements in addition to local slopes; such that on average, the flow path is unbiased (e.g., Fairfield & Leymarie, 1991;Lea, 1992;Orlandini et al, 2003;Paik, 2008;Zhou, Pilesjö, & Chen, 2011). No perfect method exists for surface flow routing; dispersive and nondispersive methods each have merits depending on the application they are used for (Orlandini et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An improved method for single flow direction calculation in grid digital elevation models

Shin

Paik

2017

Hydrological Processes

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This paper presents improvements to the global D8 (GD8) method for calculating single flow directions in a grid digital elevation model. Flow directions computed from grid digital elevation models serve as the foundation for much of the analysis and modeling of hydrological processes that are driven by topographic gradients. The literature includes both single flow direction methods, where flow goes to only one downslope cell, and multiple flow direction methods that apportion flow among multiple downslope cells. Among single flow direction methods, the standard D8 method, in which the flow direction is set based on the steepest local slope, results in bias on surfaces that do not align with the grid directions. Efforts to address this problem have led to the development of extended methods that account for elevation values further upslope in determining flow directions. We have identified discrepancies in one such method, GD8, and have examined ways to resolve these discrepancies. An improvement to GD8, named iGD8, is presented that allows replacing a reference cell from which path deviations are accumulated and that considers horizontal path deviation rather than global slope as a flow direction criterion. The improved method is found to be effective in resolving the problems encountered with GD8 and to be more efficient than a previously proposed alternative method (least transversal deviation (LTD) based D8, namely D8‐LTD) that uses recursive searching for the largest upstream area when multiple flow paths converge. The proposed improved GD8 method offers the opportunity for improved analysis and modeling of topographically driven hydrological processes by providing better foundational flow directions for these analyses.

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Evaluation of flow direction methods against field observations of overland flow dispersion

Cited by 39 publications

References 27 publications

Analytical basis for determining slope lines in grid digital elevation models

Analytical basis for determining slope lines in grid digital elevation models

Evaluation of digital channel network derivation methods in a glaciated subalpine catchment

An improved method for single flow direction calculation in grid digital elevation models

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