Determination of water flushing characteristics and their influencing factors on the Dahuofang Reservoir in China using an improved ECOMSED model

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model with the capability to deal with changing land water boundaries was developed based on ECOMSED in this study. The model was configured to numerically study the water flushing characteristics of Dahuofang Reservoir in China through the determination of spatially distributed residence times. The model successfully reproduced the intra-annual water level variations, as well as the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of water temperature. Through a series of numerical experiments, it can be concluded that (1) the water flushing of the reservoir is both temporally and spatially variable; and (2) inflows and withdrawals are the decisive factors influencing the water flushing characteristics. Heat fluxes are the controlling factors of the water flushing of a strong stratified reservoir. Wind has the weakest effect, but it still should be considered in determination of reservoir water flushing characteristics.