Dušek et al. (2026) Effect tracking and flux tracking to quantify preferential flow responses at the hillslope scale

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-17
• Authors: Jaromír Dušek, Tomáš Vogel
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136269

Research Groups

• Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology

Short Summary

This study combines effect tracking and flux tracking with a two-dimensional dual-continuum model to investigate hillslope runoff generation and water age composition under preferential flow conditions. The results show that stormflow responds rapidly during large rainfall events through activation of preferential flow paths, while smaller events produce weaker and delayed responses.

Objective

• Investigate the role of preferential flow in shaping event water contributions, runoff partitioning, and transit time distributions at the hillslope scale.
• Quantify process-specific memory effects on hydrological responses using effect and flux tracking approaches.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Hillslope scale (30 m long and 3 m deep)
• Temporal Scale: Five rainfall–runoff events during a 70-day summer period

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Two-dimensional dual-continuum model with coupled Richards equations for water flow and advection-dispersion equations for solute transport.
• Data sources: Field measurements of soil water pressure heads, stormflow fluxes, and isotope dynamics in both soil water and runoff.

Main Results

• Stormflow responds rapidly during large rainfall events through activation of preferential flow paths.
• Smaller events produce weaker and delayed responses due to reduced preferential flow activity.
• Hillslope storage exhibits pronounced soil moisture memory, with earlier events conditioning subsequent flow responses.
• Flux tracking indicates that stormflow is largely composed of pre-event water, with event water contributing both during the event itself and through remobilization in subsequent storms.

Contributions

• This study provides a comprehensive picture of water movement through hillslopes exhibiting preferential flow effects.
• The results demonstrate the importance of considering process-specific memory effects on hydrological responses at the hillslope scale.

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Dušek2026Effect,
  author = {Dušek, Jaromír and Vogel, Tomáš},
  title = {Effect tracking and flux tracking to quantify preferential flow responses at the hillslope scale},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136269},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136269}
}