Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1500
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1500
09 Apr 2025
 | 09 Apr 2025

Physics-based simulation of hydrological processes in a high-elevation glaciated environment focusing on groundwater

Xinyang Fan, Florentin Hofmeister, Bettina Schaefli, and Gabriele Chiogna

Abstract. Understanding the role of groundwater is crucial to improving the quantification of the hydrological response to climate change in high-elevation glaciated environments. However, few studies have been conducted due to the lack of in-situ hydroclimatic observations, the complex topography, and the difficulty of characterizing surface-subsurface water exchange processes in these terrains. In this study, we adopt a fully-distributed, physics-based hydrological model, WaSiM, with an integrated 2-dimensional groundwater module to quantify the observed streamflow variations and their interactions with groundwater in a high-elevation glaciated catchment (Martell Valley) in the central European Alps since the 2000s. Extensive field observations (meteorology, vegetation, glacier mass balance, soil properties, groundwater levels, river discharge) are collected to analyze hydrological processes and to constrain the model parameters. We observe that shallow alpine groundwater levels respond nearly as quickly as streamflow to snowmelt and heavy rainfall inputs, as their measured hydrographs show. Because hydrological models rarely simulate this quick groundwater response, this highlights the need for improved subsurface parametrization in hydrological modeling. Surprisingly, subsurface lateral flow plays a minor role in river discharge generation at the study site, providing new insights into the hydrological processes in such an environment. Lastly, our results underline the challenges of integrating point-scale groundwater observations into a distributed hydrological model, with important implications for future piezometer installation in the field. This study sheds new light on surface-subsurface hydrological processes in high-elevation glaciated environments. It highlights the importance of improving subsurface representation in hydrological modeling.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share
Xinyang Fan, Florentin Hofmeister, Bettina Schaefli, and Gabriele Chiogna

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Nima Zafarmomen, 11 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Nunzio Romano, 30 Apr 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Nima Zafarmomen, 11 Apr 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Nunzio Romano, 30 Apr 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1500', Anonymous Referee #2, 04 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Xinyang Fan, 13 Jun 2025
Xinyang Fan, Florentin Hofmeister, Bettina Schaefli, and Gabriele Chiogna
Xinyang Fan, Florentin Hofmeister, Bettina Schaefli, and Gabriele Chiogna

Viewed

Total article views: 706 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
552 131 23 706 18 34
  • HTML: 552
  • PDF: 131
  • XML: 23
  • Total: 706
  • BibTeX: 18
  • EndNote: 34
Views and downloads (calculated since 09 Apr 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 09 Apr 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 714 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 714 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 07 Oct 2025
Download
Short summary
We adopt a fully-distributed, physics-based hydrological modeling approach, to understand streamflow variations and their interactions with groundwater in a high-elevation glaciated environment. We demonstrate opportunities and challenges of integrating point-scale groundwater observations into a distributed model. This study sheds new lights on surface-subsurface processes in high alpine environments and highlights the importance of improving subsurface representation in hydrological modeling.
Share