2024 journal article
Two-Way Coupling of the National Water Model (NWM) and Semi-Implicit Cross-Scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM) for Enhanced Coastal Discharge Predictions
HYDROLOGY, 11(9).
author keywords: coastal hydrology; model coupling; National Water Model; SCHISM; storm surge; tidal influence; flood; hurricane
open access via doi.org (publisher)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: October 8, 2024
This study addresses the limitations of and the common challenges faced by one-dimensional river-routing methods in hydrological models, including the National Water Model (NWM), in accurately representing coastal regions. We developed a two-way coupling between the NWM and the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM). The approach demonstrated improvements in modeling coastal river dynamics, particularly during extreme events like Hurricane Matthew. The coupled model successfully captured tidal influences, storm surge effects, and complex river–river interactions that the standalone NWM missed. The approach revealed more accurate representations of peak discharge timing and magnitude as well as water storage and release in coastal floodplains. However, we also identified challenges in reconciling variable representations between hydrological and hydraulic models. This work not only enhances the understanding of coastal–riverine interactions but also provides valuable insights for the development of next-generation hydrological models. The improved modeling capabilities have implications for flood forecasting, coastal management, and climate change adaptation in vulnerable coastal areas.