Description
Return rainfall-runoff-evapotranspiration-storageChange in mm and runoff/rainfall.
A water balance tracks additions, withdrawals, storage changes, and a residual over one declared interval. A remainder can reveal inconsistency without identifying whether it came from leakage, timing, or measurement error.
Return rainfall-runoff-evapotranspiration-storageChange in mm and runoff/rainfall.
When to use this tool
Use Catchment Rainfall Runoff Depth Residual when you need one transparent water-volume or storage-accounting component.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter rainfallMm, runoffMm, evapotranspirationMm, storageChangeMm. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read balanceResidualMm, runoffFraction. Use the output convention below.
Require positive rainfallMm and nonnegative runoffMm and evapotranspirationMm. Return rainfall-runoff-evapotranspiration-storageChange in mm and runoff/rainfall.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| rainfallMm | Rainfall Mm | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| runoffMm | Runoff Mm | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| evapotranspirationMm | Evapotranspiration Mm | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| storageChangeMm | Storage Change Mm | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| balanceResidualMm | Balance Residual Mm | Required. Finite number. |
| runoffFraction | Runoff Fraction | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"rainfallMm": 100,
"runoffMm": 30,
"evapotranspirationMm": 50,
"storageChangeMm": 10
},
"output": {
"balanceResidualMm": 10,
"runoffFraction": 0.3
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Storage change is signed closing minus opening on the same interval; runoff fraction can exceed one, and the residual does not identify missing inflows or measurement bias.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Reconcile all flows and storage observations on a common interval and investigate residuals using independent measurements.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Water Balance Closure Residual
Subtract outflow and storageChange from inflow for residual.
- Hydroclimatic Water Deficit One Month Term
Subtract potentialEt from precipitation for climaticBalance.