Adding sediment transport to the integrated hydrology model (InHM): Development and testing

The addition of a sediment transport algorithm to the comprehensive hydrologic-response model known as the Integrated Hydrology Model (InHM) is discussed. The first test of the sediment transport version of InHM is reported, using field data from a series of erosion experiments conducted by Gabet and Dunne [E.J. Gabet, T. Dunne, Sediment detachment by rain power, Water Resour Res 39 (2003) 1002]. The performance of the sediment transport component of InHM, in both calibration and validation phases, is judged to be successful, based upon quantitative statistical criteria. The ability to simulate sub-plot-scale interactions between surface water hydrology and rain-induced sediment transport with InHM is demonstrated. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the rainfall intensity exponent has a substantial impact on simulated sediment discharge. Future work, related to both testing InHM and much needed field experiments for model parameterization, is discussed.