Summary
This paper introduces mizuRoute version 1, a hydrological routing tool designed to translate runoff outputs from distributed hydrologic and land surface models into spatially distributed streamflow estimates across continental river systems. The tool employs a two-step routing process—hillslope routing using gamma-distribution unit-hydrographs and river channel routing via either kinematic wave tracking or impulse response function methods—and supports both traditional grid-based and finer-resolution vector-based river network representations. The authors demonstrate its application to the contiguous United States and indicate its utility for water resources assessments and climate change impact studies on streamflow.
UK applicability
Whilst mizuRoute was developed and demonstrated for the United States hydrological context, the underlying routing methodology and tool architecture are transferable to UK river systems. The tool could support UK water resources modelling and climate change adaptation planning, though UK-specific river network datasets and parameter calibration would be required.
Key measures
Spatially distributed streamflow estimates; river network representation (grid-based and vector-based); parameter sensitivity analysis
Outcomes reported
The study presents mizuRoute, a stand-alone runoff routing tool that post-processes outputs from hydrologic models to produce spatially distributed streamflow estimates across river networks from headwater basins to continental scales. The tool was demonstrated using the USGS Geospatial Fabric dataset mapping over 54,000 river segments across the contiguous United States.
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