Inter-comparison study of water level estimates derived from hydrodynamic–hydrologic model and satellite altimetry for a complex deltaic environment

Riverine deltas are hydrologically one of the most active terrestrial bodies supporting an intricate network of rivers, a highly unsteady flow regime, high agricultural productivity and large population centers. Understanding the complex hydrology of riverine deltas is challenging due to the paucity of conventional ground-based measurements on river water levels and flows that result in large spatial and temporal sampling gaps. One way to bridge this sampling issue is to employ hydrodynamic models in combination with remotely-sensed water level elevation data from satellite altimetry in a data assimilation framework. However, a good understanding of the performance of models and altimetry is required beforehand. Using Bangladesh as an example of a complex delta, an inter-comparison study was therefore performed for water level estimates derived from the two methods: 1) satellite altimetry and 2) hydrodynamic–hydrologic modeling framework. The Envisat mission was selected for satellite altimetry-based water level data. For the modeling framework, a calibrated 1-D hydrodynamic model, HEC-RAS, was set up for the major rivers of Bangladesh using in-situ river bathymetry, gaged stream flow and water level data. Envisat water level estimates were generally found to be exceeded by the model-based values by 0.20 m and 1.90 m for Monsoon and dry seasons, respectively. In general, the average RMSE between Envisat and modeled estimates is more than 2.0 m. The closest agreement with altimetry was observed during the high flow Monsoon season over the Brahmaputra river. Envisat estimates are found to disagree most with model-based estimates for small to medium-sized river basins that are mountainous and flashy. This inter-comparison study provides preliminary guidance on the relative weights to assign for each type of estimate when designing a data assimilation scheme for optimal water level prediction in ungaged basins.