Can hydrological models assess the impact of natural flood management in groundwater‐dominated catchments?

• DOI: 10.1111/jfr3.12912
• Publication Date: 2023-04-22T04:59:40Z
• Authors: Hèou Maléki Badjana; Hannah L. Cloke; Anne Verhoef; Stefan Julich; Carla Camargos; Sarah Collins; David M. J. Macdo...; Patrick C. McGuire; Joanna Clark
• Keywords: Interflow; Hydrological modelling; SWAT model; Flood Mitigation; Base flow

Abstract Natural flood management (NFM) is widely promoted for managing risks but the effectiveness of different types NFM schemes at medium (100–1000 km 2 ) and large scales (>1000 remains unknown. This study demonstrates importance fully understanding impact model structure, calibration uncertainty techniques on results before assessment undertaken. Land‐based undertaken in two medium‐scale lowland catchments within Thames River basin (UK) with a modelling approach that uses Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) an framework. The performed poorly groundwater‐dominated areas (P‐factor <0.5 R‐factor >0.6). better dominated by surface interflow processes >0.5 <0.6) here hypothetical experiments converting land to broadleaf woodland cropland showed offers good potential effectiveness. However, reduction flows greater than 4% medium‐sized would require afforestation more 75% area. Whilst hydrological models, specifically SWAT, can be useful tools assessing NFM, these demonstrate they cannot applied all settings.