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Assessment of distributed hydrological drought based on hydrological unit map using SWSI drought index in South Korea

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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

This study is to assess the hydrological drought in South Korea in a semi-distributed form using an equation modifying the SWSI (Surface Water Supply Index). Based on the nationwide gauging stations of 61 precipitation, 53 streamflow, 7 dam inflow and 31 groundwater level, South Korea was divided into 32 (sub-regions) and 112 (accounting units) watersheds. The evaluation result was compared with the historical drought records of 2001 which is the driest year in history. The results showed that the monthly-based SWSI value of the 112 watersheds division gives a more reliable representation than that of the 32 watersheds division. In addition, the weekly-based SWSI evaluation accurately showed the continual drought condition while the monthly-based evaluation failed to catch the drought within a month.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA

    Hyung-Joong Kwon

  2. Dept. of Civil and Environmental System Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea

    Seong-Joon Kim

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  1. Hyung-Joong Kwon
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  2. Seong-Joon Kim
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Correspondence to Seong-Joon Kim.

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Kwon, HJ., Kim, SJ. Assessment of distributed hydrological drought based on hydrological unit map using SWSI drought index in South Korea. KSCE J Civ Eng 14, 923–929 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-010-0827-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-010-0827-8

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