The Pfafstetter Coding System in Hydrological modeling TANG, Qiuhong

Outline Introduction and concept Methodology Application

Introduction and concept The river basin has seen as a fundamental landscape unit for water resources assessment and management. A natural system for delineation and codification of basins is presented. The system is based on topographic control and the topology of the river network. The DEM (digital elevation model) maps and GIS technique are used to reach the target automatically.

Our target DEM -> River basins (with relationships) DEMRiver basins

Methodology (1) From the watershed outlet, trace upstream along the main stem of the river, and get the tributaries. Identify the 4 greatest tributaries. Flow accumulation file

Methodology (2) Inter-basins are the watersheds that contribute flow to the main stem.

Methodology (3) The assigned codes are then appended on to the end of the Pfafstetter code of the next lowest level. Sub-basin Id:2 Inter-basin Id:1

Methodology (4) Watershed relationships If we have the Pfafstetter code of the river basin, we can determine the downstream or upstream watershed easily.

Application Hydro1k data (the Yellow River Basin) Dem (1k) Code (level 1)

Application Level 2 and 3 Code (level 2)Code (level 3)

Application The methodology is not limited in one river basin. It can also be used in continental scale.

Further study Use DEM data, we can generate the river basins and describe the relationship between them. We can generate the TRIP automatically and easily. Now, global 3 arc second (90 meter) DEM data are available. The coding system will be used in runoff accumulation processes in my research.

Thank you for your attention.