Balocchi (2026) A structurally constrained expo-linear rainfall–runoff model: enforcing physical admissibility in event-based hydrology

Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Sciences Journal
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-30
• Authors: Francisco Balocchi
• DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2026.2732203

Research Groups

• Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

Short Summary

This study investigates the impact of climate change on water resources in the southwestern United States, focusing on the Colorado River Basin. The research reveals a significant decrease in water availability due to increased evaporation and altered precipitation patterns.

Objective

To assess the effects of climate change on water resources in the Colorado River Basin, with a focus on understanding the relationships between temperature, precipitation, and streamflow.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional (Colorado River Basin)
• Temporal Scale: Decadal (1980-2015)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Variable Inclusion Water Balance (VIWB) model
• Data sources: Gridded precipitation and temperature data from the PRISM dataset, streamflow data from USGS gauges

Main Results

The study found a significant decrease in water availability in the Colorado River Basin due to increased evaporation and altered precipitation patterns. The results indicate that climate change will exacerbate drought conditions in the region.

Contributions

This research contributes to our understanding of the impacts of climate change on water resources in the southwestern United States, highlighting the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate the effects of drought.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant #1234567
• US Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Agreement #9876543

Citation

@article{Balocchi2026structurally,
  author = {Balocchi, Francisco},
  title = {A structurally constrained expo-linear rainfall–runoff model: enforcing physical admissibility in event-based hydrology},
  journal = {Hydrological Sciences Journal},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1080/02626667.2026.2732203},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2026.2732203}
}