Integrated physically-based modeling of hydrological processes at hillslope and catchment scales

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Process-based simulation models are essential support tools in water resources management, allowing us to explore and predict the dynamics of state variables and the interactions between subsystems over a wide range of space and time scales. The proposed research will address numerous challenges connected with the modeling of hydrological processes, with a particular focus on the intermediate scale represented by hillslopes and small catchment or aquifer basins. The main themes and objectives revolve around the following research questions: how to match model complexity to data availability, computational resources, and analysis goals; how to assess the validity of underlying assumptions and new hypotheses in evolving models; how to best combine information from measurements and simulations to reduce uncertainty and improve predictions; how to integrate hydrological models to other simulators and tools in multidisciplinary applications; and how to resolve the exchange, or coupling, between processes across the various interfaces in the atmosphere/land- surface/soil/aquifer/stream continuum. The simulation models to be used in the proposed research, developed over the years by the applicant and colleagues at three other universities, include a 3D Richards equation subsurface solver coupled to a path-based surface routing module, a 3D variable density flow and transport code, and a Boussinesq equation model for groundwater flow in sloping aquifers of arbitrary geometry. These are research models that have attracted much interest and have led to an international and expanding network of collaborators (including many students and young researchers) who are using these tools in a wide variety of applications. The funding being requested in this proposal will support a research team consisting of 1 PhD student, 1 postdoctoral researcher (half salary), and 1 intern/summer student. In addition to allowing continued basic research and development along the themes described, this is considered a minimal configuration needed to sustain and manage the collaborations, training opportunities, and applications arising from the applicant's research program and activities.