Global river hydrography and network routing: baseline data and new approaches to study the world's large river systems

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9740
• Publication Date: 2013-02-13T16:14:28Z
• Authors: Bernhard Lehner; Günther Grill
• Keywords: Baseline (sea); Hydrological modelling

Abstract Despite significant recent advancements, global hydrological models and their input databases still show limited capabilities in supporting many spatially detailed research questions integrated assessments, such as required freshwater ecology or applied water resources management. In order to address these challenges, the scientific community needs create improved large‐scale datasets more flexible data structures that enable integration of information across within spatial scales; develop new advanced support assessment longitudinal lateral connectivity; provide an accessible modeling environment for researchers, decision makers, practitioners. As a contribution, we here present framework integrates hydrographic baseline at scale (enhanced HydroSHEDS layers coupled datasets) with tools, specifically river network routing model (HydroROUT) is currently under development. The resulting ‘hydro‐spatial fabric’ designed avenue hydro‐ecological applications large scales consistent highly versatile way. Preliminary results from case studies assess human impacts on quality effects dams fragmentation downstream flow regulation illustrate potential this combined data‐and‐modeling conduct novel fields aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, geo‐statistical modeling, pollution health risk assessments. outcomes are previously unachieved resolution 500 m can thus local planning making world's basins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.