UNH, GRDC, Global Composite Runoff Data Set (v1.0)
Entry ID: UNH_GRDC_GCRDS

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Summary
Abstract: The present data set demonstrates the potential of combining
observed river discharge information with a climate-driven Water
Balance Model in order to develop composite runoff fields which are
consistent with observed discharges. Such combined runoff fields
preserve the accuracy of the discharge measurements as well as the
spatial and temporal distribution of simulated runoff, thereby
providing the "best estimate" of terrestrial runoff over large
domains.

The method applied in the preparation of this data set utilizes a
gridded river network at 30-minute spatial resolution to represent the
riverine flow pathways and to link the continental land mass to oceans
through river channels. Selected gauging stations from the Global
Runoff Data Centre data archive were co-registered to a simulated
topological network (STN-30p) developed at the University of New
Hampshire. Inter-station regions between gauging stations along the
STN-30p network were identified. Inter-station discharge and runoff
were calculated to compare observed runoff with outputs from the water
balance model (WBM) simulation. Correction coefficients based on the
ratio of observed and simulated runoff for inter-station areas were
calculated and applied against simulated runoff to create composite
runoff fields.

The present CD contains not only "UNH-GRDC Composite Runoff Fields
V1.0" but also intermediate data sets, such as station attributes and
long-term monthly regimes of the selected gauging stations. Also
included on the CD are the simulated topological network (STN-30p),
STN-30p derived attributes for the selected stations and gridded
fields of the inter-station regions along STN-30p.

An HTML based data explorer was developed to help users of the
CD-ROM view the data. With a standard web browser and the CD it is
possible to navigate from a global view of the data, down to a
subbasin or station level.

The printed version of the report can be ordered free of charge
from GRDC (grdc@bafg.de) or WMO (dhwr@gateway.wmo.ch).

Note: Due to inaccuracies in the topographical dataset used for the
compilation of the simulated river network, errors may occur in the
graphical display of certain lower-order rivers. Users are invited to
send their comments and notification of errors to the e-mail addresses
shown above.

The full report on the UNH/GRDC is available here -
"http://www.grdc.sr.unh.edu/html/paper/index.html"

Related URL
Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE
Description: The Global Hydrological Archive and Analysis System (GHAAS)is a
set of computer-based tools and data sets developed and routinely
applied by staff at the Water Systems Analysis Group at the University
of New Hampshire in their ongoing studies of the terrestrial water
cycle. This research encompasses data set development, modeling, and
global change impact assessment.


Geographic Coverage
 N: 90.0 S: -90.0  E: 180.0  W: -180.0

Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator: University of New Hampshire
Dataset Title: UNH/GRDC Composite Runoff Fields
Dataset Publisher: University of New Hampshire
Data Presentation Form: ARC/INFO ascii format, ARC/INFO workspace
Online Resource: http://www.grdc.sr.unh.edu/html/Data/index.html


Temporal Coverage
Start Date: 1800-01-01


Location Keywords
CONTINENT > AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND > AUSTRALIA
CONTINENT > AFRICA
CONTINENT > ASIA
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > EURASIA
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > CENTRAL AMERICA
CONTINENT > EUROPE
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > EASTERN HEMISPHERE
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > GLOBAL
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > WESTERN HEMISPHERE
CONTINENT > SOUTH AMERICA


Data Resolution
Temporal Resolution: Monthly


Science Keywords
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >GROUND WATER >GROUND WATER DISCHARGE/FLOW    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >DRAINAGE    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >RIVERS/STREAMS    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >TOTAL SURFACE WATER    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >WATER CHANNELS    [Definition]
LAND SURFACE >LAND USE/LAND COVER >LAND COVER    [Definition]


ISO Topic Category
GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
IMAGERY/BASE MAPS/EARTH COVER
INLAND WATERS


Quality
Due to inaccuracies in the topographical dataset used for the
compilation of the simulated river network, errors may occur in the
graphical display of certain lower-order rivers.


Keywords
DISCHARGE
RUNOFF
STATION ATTRIBUTES
WATER BALANCE MODEL
WORLD BASIN
WORLD RUNOFF
WORLD STATION
TEMS
GTOS
G3OS


Originating Center


Data Center
Global Runoff Data Center, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Germany    [Information]
Data Center URL: http://grdc.bafg.de/

Data Center Personnel
Name: USER SERVICES/GRDC
Phone: 49 261 1306-5224
Fax: 49 261 1306-5280
Email: grdc at bafg.de
Contact Address:
Global Runoff Data Centre
Federal Institute of Hydrology
Am Mainzer Tor 1
City: Koblenz
Postal Code: 56068
Country: GERMANY


Water Systems Analysis Group, Complex Systems Research Center, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire    [Information]
Data Center URL: http://www.wsag.unh.edu/

Data Center Personnel
Name: CHARLES J. VOROSMARTY
Phone: (603) 862-1792
Fax: (603) 862-0188
Email: charles.vorosmarty at unh.edu
Contact Address:
Water Systems Analysis Group
Complex Systems Research Center
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
University of New Hampshire
Morse Hall, 39 College Road
City: DURHAM
Province or State: NH
Postal Code: 03824
Country: USA



Distribution
Distribution_Format: ARC/INFO coverage

Distribution_Format: ASCII interchange files


Personnel
BALAZS M. FEKETE
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Contact Address:
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
University of New Hampshire
City: Durham
Province or State: NH
Postal Code: 03824
Country: USA


CHARLES J. VOROSMARTY
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone: (603) 862-1792
Fax: (603) 862-0188
Email: charles.vorosmarty at unh.edu
Contact Address:
Water Systems Analysis Group
Complex Systems Research Center
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space
University of New Hampshire
Morse Hall, 39 College Road
City: DURHAM
Province or State: NH
Postal Code: 03824
Country: USA


TYLER B. STEVENS
Role: DIF AUTHOR
Phone: (301) 614-6898
Fax: 301-614-5268
Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory
City: Greenbelt
Province or State: MD
Postal Code: 20771
Country: USA



Creation and Review Dates
Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-04-20

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