Guimarães et al. (2026) Characterizing low and high flow spells and their temporal transitions using baseflow estimates

Identification

• Journal: Hydrology and earth system sciences
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-08
• Authors: Guilherme Mendoza Guimarães, Maria‐Helena Ramos, Ilias G. Pechlivanidis
• DOI: 10.5194/hess-30-4245-2026

Research Groups

• Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, HYCAR, Antony, France
• Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrköping, Sweden

Short Summary

This study proposes an analytical framework to detect and characterize temporally compound events using daily streamflow data from 643 catchments in France. The framework combines a mixed threshold approach with baseflow estimation to identify high and low flow spells and analyze their frequency, duration, and temporal transitions.

Objective

• To investigate the efficiency of the framework in detecting hazards using a threshold-based approach combined with baseflow as an indicator for catchment recovery.
• To characterize hazards and their transitions, and inform decision-makers in risk management and reduction.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Catchment scale and national operational forecasting centers in France.
• Temporal Scale: Daily streamflow data from 1970 to 2021.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Mixed threshold approach combined with baseflow estimation using three different methods: Lyne-Hollick recursive digital filter, UKIH smoothed minimum method, and Pelletier-Andràssian conceptual model.
• Data sources: CAMELS-FR dataset in France.

Main Results

• The study found that short duration high flow spells are predominant across France, while long duration high flow spells are concentrated in northern France.
• Transitions from low to high flows show distinct spatial variability, with the shortest transition durations concentrated in the Rhone-Mediterranean and Rhine-Meuse basins.
• Transitions from high to low flows are typically slow, developing over more than 90 days.

Contributions

• The study provides an analytical framework for detecting and characterizing temporally compound events using streamflow data.
• The results highlight the importance of considering baseflow estimation in identifying spell end dates and characterizing hydrological conditions.

Funding

• This research was funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) through the project "Hydro-Meteo" (grant number ANR-15-IDEX-0003).

Citation

@article{Guimarães2026Characterizing,
  author = {Guimarães, Guilherme Mendoza and Ramos, Maria‐Helena and Pechlivanidis, Ilias G.},
  title = {Characterizing low and high flow spells and their temporal transitions using baseflow estimates},
  journal = {Hydrology and earth system sciences},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.5194/hess-30-4245-2026},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-4245-2026}
}