Abstract
New developments are presented enabling the using a four-parameter kappa distribution with the widely used regional goodness-of-fit methods as part of an index flood regional frequency analysis based on the method of L-moments. The framework was successfully applied to 564 pooling groups and was found to significantly improve the probabilistic description of British flood flow compared to existing procedures. Based on results from an extensive data analysis it is argued that the successful application of the kappa distribution renders the use of the traditional three-parameter distributions such as the Generalised Extreme Value (GEV) and Generalised Logistic (GLO) distributions obsolete, except for large and relatively dry catchments. The importance of these findings are discussed in terms of the sensitivity of design floods to distribution choice.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1354-1363 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Hydrological Sciences Journal |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 12 Jun 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2017 |
Keywords
- Hydrology
- flood frequency estimation
- Statistical analysis
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Thomas Kjeldsen
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Reader
- Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC)
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa)
- Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI)
- Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW)
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
- Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change
- Centre of Excellence in Water-Based Early-Warning Systems for Health Protection (CWBE)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff