Runoff events in the Negev, Israel

Quantitative characteristics of runoff events in the arid Negev of Israel are presented in a general form suitable for adaptation to other arid areas. The principal results are condensed into two hydrological models. One predicts the frequency and magnitude of runoff events, and the other assesses transmission losses in a wadi reach. The first model is composed of statistical formulae describing occurrence frequency of events within the year, number of events in a year, distributions of peak discharges and volumes of events at individual sites, and regional extensions of outcomes of these formulae. The second model incorporates verbal lithostratigraphic information with records on flow volumes at trunk stations into a quantitative assessment of tributary contribution and transmission losses. It divides the assessed losses into evaporation and aquifer replenishment. The models are regionalized with regard to catchment area and geographical location, where the location reflects spatial variations in physical properties that govern runoff generation and flow processes.