Peak flows are the most important flood parameter which relatively reflects the highest level and potential destructive power of a flood. Understanding peak flow changes can effectively capture a flood characteristic and is essential for developing flood control strategies. This study aims to reveal how regional peak flows evolved in recent decades, mainly from a non-linear perspective. The Beijiang River Basin (BRB) was chosen for the analysis, and hydrological data from four hydrologic stations were used. Methods including ensemble empirical mode decomposition and rescaled range analysis were applied to advance the research. Results indicate a non-significant uptrend and a multiple periodicity of peak flows in BRB. However, short periods were more distinct than long ones. In the future, peak flows may continue to increase over time. Such changes in peak flows are possibly due to local reservoir operations and the changing South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM). The research suggests an increasing flood risk and recommends more regional flood adaptations to avoid flood losses for BRB. Synchronously, it provides a reference for studies regarding periodicity and the future trend of peak flows in other regions.
Article navigation
Research Article|May 28 2016
Variability of annual peak flows in the Beijiang River Basin, South China, and possible underlying causes
Xushu Wu
Xushu Wu
1School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Zhaoli Wang
Zhaoli Wang
1School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
E-mail: wangzhl@scut.edu.cn
Search for other works by this author on:
Xiaowen Zhou
Xiaowen Zhou
1School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Zhaoyang Zeng
Zhaoyang Zeng
1School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Chengguang Lai
Chengguang Lai
2Center for Water Resources and Environment Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China and Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Water Security Regulation and Control for Southern China, Guangzhou 510275, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Xiaohong Chen
Xiaohong Chen
2Center for Water Resources and Environment Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China and Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Water Security Regulation and Control for Southern China, Guangzhou 510275, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Hydrology Research (2016) 48 (2): 442-454.
Article history
Received:
November 13 2015
Accepted:
April 14 2016
Citation
Xushu Wu, Zhaoli Wang, Xiaowen Zhou, Zhaoyang Zeng, Chengguang Lai, Xiaohong Chen; Variability of annual peak flows in the Beijiang River Basin, South China, and possible underlying causes. Hydrology Research 1 April 2017; 48 (2): 442–454. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2016.228
Download citation file:
×
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.