Virtual Watershed Model Simulations for Typified Prairie Watersheds

The dataset is comprised of inputs to and outputs from the Cold Regions Hydrological Model (CRHM) when it was run as a virtual model of two classes of Canadian Prairie watersheds, as defined by Wolfe et al. (2019). These classes are Pothole Till and High Elevation Grasslands. These watersheds represented typified prairie watersheds based on physiogeography and coherent response to environmental change.Model parameters were informed by the results of Wolfe et al. (2019). The .prj files necessary to run the virtual models are included in the dataset.

Climate forcing data are from the Adjusted and Homogenized Canadian Climate Dataset from a cohort of stations contained within each watershed class and cover a period from 1960-2006. There are a series of climate sensitivity scenarios that include applying a delta method to the original climate data (i.e., 1°C increments of warming, and -20%, +10%, +20% and +30% of precipitation). The .prj and .obs files for the baseline and each sensitivity scenario are included in the dataset.

Model output includes hourly catchment outflow, snow water equivalent, and surface storage for the baseline and each scenario.

In addition, virtual model outputs where linked to biogeochemical and biological models to calclate nutrient loading and biodiversity indicators. Nutrient load information is calculated using stream concentrations from the Pothole Till watershed class. Using the stream concentration-flow relationship, the hydrological data from the CRHM simulations were fed into these equations to estimate changes in nutrient loading. Wetland bird abundance and bird species richness are calculated using calculated pond areas that are modified from the CRHM outputs.

Prairie Water is an interdisciplinary project that prioritizes research to address pressing water security challenges and knowledge gaps in order to enhance the resilience of prairie communities. The project’s objectives and research plans are informed by working with partners from governments, communities, non-profit organisations, and industry groups.

The dataset contributes to work packages 1.2, or A(i), under Phase II of Prairie Water, “analyzing future climate and land use change using Virtual Watershed modelling”. The dataset aims to assess hydrological sensitivity of Canadian Prairie catchments to climate with seven temperature scenarios and five precipitation scenarios, and contribute to our understanding of the hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological response of prairie watersheds to climate and land management changes.

Model name: CRHM
Model version number: 2020
Model source/webpage: https://research-groups.usask.ca/hydrology/modelling/crhm.php
Model output pre-processing script: https://github.com/CentreForHydrology/CRHMr
Model output post-processing script:
Model setup: HEG_100km2 virtual basin with 58 HRUs
Time step: Hourly, monthly, annually
Study period: 1:00 of Jan-1-1960 to 0:00 am of May-20-2006
Model inputs: AHCCD observations