Abstract:
In this study, we introduce a global river routing model founded on hydraulic geometry principles and hydrologic catchments, specifically designed for integration with Earth system models. To simulate river dynamics, the model capitalizes on (1) the river network topology defined by the Pfafstetter coding system, (2) hydraulic geometry principles that connect river discharge to flow velocity, and (3) calibration using more than 2.7 million field measurements of flow velocity in the contiguous US (CONUS). The model also includes a simple reservoir module to account for the impacts of reservoir operations on river discharge. The model is shown to produce reasonably accurate natural daily river discharge over CONUS. A unique feature of the model is its ability to simulate flow velocity and water storage with realistic magnitudes, standing it in good stead for tracer tracking and water management applications.