Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-35
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-35
17 Jan 2025
 | 17 Jan 2025

Climatic, topographic, and groundwater controls on runoff response to precipitation: evidence from a large-sample data set

Zahra Eslami, Hansjörg Seybold, and James W. Kirchner

Abstract. Understanding the factors that influence catchment runoff response is essential for effective water resource management. Runoff response to precipitation can vary significantly, depending on the dynamics of hillslope water storage and release, and on the transmission of hydrological signals through the channel network. Here, we use Ensemble Rainfall-Runoff Analysis (ERRA) to characterize the runoff response of 211 Iranian catchments with diverse landscapes and climates. ERRA quantifies the increase in lagged streamflow attributable to each unit of additional precipitation, while accounting for nonlinearities in catchment behavior. Peak runoff response, as quantified by ERRA across Iran, is higher in more humid climates, in steeper and smaller catchments, and in catchments with shallower water tables. The direction and approximate magnitude of these effects persist after correlations among the drivers (e.g., deeper water tables are more common in more arid regions) are accounted for. These findings highlight the importance of catchment attributes in shaping runoff behavior, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where climatic variability and groundwater dynamics are crucial factors in sustainable water resource management and effective flood risk mitigation.

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.
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Zahra Eslami, Hansjörg Seybold, and James W. Kirchner

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Nima Zafarmomen, 19 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply to CC1', James Kirchner, 03 Feb 2025
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Nima Zafarmomen, 04 Feb 2025
        • AC2: 'Reply to CC2', James Kirchner, 08 Feb 2025
    • AC6: 'Reply on CC1', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Feb 2025
    • AC5: 'Reply to RC1', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • CC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35 (Referee comment)', Abdolreza Bahremand, 18 Feb 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply to CC3', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Abdolreza Bahremand, 20 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply to RC2', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Nima Zafarmomen, 19 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply to CC1', James Kirchner, 03 Feb 2025
      • CC2: 'Reply on AC1', Nima Zafarmomen, 04 Feb 2025
        • AC2: 'Reply to CC2', James Kirchner, 08 Feb 2025
    • AC6: 'Reply on CC1', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Feb 2025
    • AC5: 'Reply to RC1', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • CC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35 (Referee comment)', Abdolreza Bahremand, 18 Feb 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply to CC3', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-35', Abdolreza Bahremand, 20 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply to RC2', James Kirchner, 27 Mar 2025
Zahra Eslami, Hansjörg Seybold, and James W. Kirchner
Zahra Eslami, Hansjörg Seybold, and James W. Kirchner

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Short summary
We used a new method to measure how streamflow responds to precipitation across a network of watersheds in Iran. Our analysis shows that streamflow is more sensitive to precipitation when groundwater levels are shallower, climates are more humid, topography is steeper, and drainage basins are smaller. These results are a step toward more sustainable water resource management and more effective flood risk mitigation.
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