Influence of Pit Removal Methods on River Network Position

Digital elevation models often contain depressions that result in areas described as having no drainage, referred to as sinks or pits. These depressions disrupt the drainage surface, which disrupt routing of flow over the surface. Most of the attributes that can be extracted from a digital elevation model rely on flow-routing algorithms to calculate the upslope contributing area. There is little information on the influence of the various algorithms on the position and on the connectivity of the extracted networks. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pit removal methods, data sources and flow-routing algorithms on the position of river networks. The results show that all factors and methods have an impact on the position of the extracted networks. The pit removal method combining filling and carving extracted river networks closer to the reference, as well the elevation models with higher resolution. Single-flow direction methods provided more accurate positioning of river network, in this test area where the drainage is generally well defined.

POGGIO Laura;  SOILLE Pierre; 

2012-12-04

WILEY-BLACKWELL

JRC66713

0885-6087,   

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.8290/pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC66713,   

10.1002/hyp.8290,