Recently I recommended 5 papers of mine, which I consider representative of my recent work. However, they are on the side of the theory/numerics/informatics work. Not less important are those that could be erroneously classified as applications. The four papers presented here, in fact, represent more than a straightforward run of models to individual catchments. They deploy a comprehensive methodology that integrates traditional surface water systems with new features and methods. Their approach combines mixed-resolution spatial discretization through strategic Hydrological Response Unit (HRU) refinement with accurate pre-analysis of the input multi-source validation using neutron probes (as representative of local field measurements), satellite data, and conventional discharge observations.
The modular
GEOframe implementation provides flexible model configuration while preserving physical consistency and enabling validation of individual modeling components. A key finding across these papers is that careful analysis of input data can guide model organization and improve predictions. Each paper targets complete water budget estimation, identifying inconsistencies and providing more robust assessments of catchment hydrology than traditional modeling approaches than the traditional simulation based on discharge alone.
These studies introduce analytical tools that should become standard practice for catchment hydrology modelers and gently use Earth Observations in their specific contexts. The collective work establishes a framework where data-driven model organization, multi-source validation, and comprehensive water budget analysis modelling try to converge to advance our understanding of hydrological processes at the catchment scale. Part of the lesson learned from these papers has been also summarized in the set of "
Seven Steps in Modeling a catchment", a series of slides and videos that can be considered complementary to reading the papers.
Much more can be done using the flexibility of the
GEOframe system which remains undisclosed.
References
Abera, Wuletawu, Giuseppe Formetta, Luca Brocca, and Riccardo Rigon. 2017. “Modeling the Water Budget of the Upper Blue Nile Basin Using the JGrass-NewAge Model System and Satellite Data.”
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 21 (6): 3145–65.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3145-2017.
Andreis, D; Formetta, G.;Bancheri, M. and Rigon R., Multiple Resolution Analysis of an Alpine Basin. submitted to Water Resources Research, 2025.
Preprint
Abera, Wuletawu, Giuseppe Formetta, Marco Borga, and Riccardo Rigon. 2017. “Estimating the Water Budget Components and Their Variability in a Pre-Alpine Basin with JGrass-NewAGE.”
Advances in Water Resources 104 (June): 37–54.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.03.010.
Azimi, Shima, Christian Massari, Giuseppe Formetta, Silvia Barbetta, Alberto Tazioli, Davide Fronzi, Sara Modanesi, Angelica Tarpanelli, and Riccardo Rigon. 2023. “On Understanding Mountainous Carbonate Basins of the Mediterranean Using Parsimonious Modeling Solutions.”
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 27 (24): 4485–4503.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4485-2023.
