environmentaltools.processes.base_flow

environmentaltools.processes.base_flow(window, df, info)

Compute base flow using exponential recession model.

Calculates subsurface flow contribution to total streamflow using an exponential recession equation with aquifer storage dynamics.

Parameters:

• window (pd.Series) – Rolling window containing current and previous time step

• df (pd.DataFrame) – DataFrame containing flow computations with ‘base_flow’ and ‘infil_flow’ columns

• info (dict) –

  Dictionary with parameters:

  • dtfloat

    Time step (hours)

  • k_acfloat

    Aquifer storage constant (hours)

Returns:

Updated base flow value at current time step (m³/s)

Return type:

float

Notes

Uses exponential recession:

Q_base(t) = Q_base(t-1) * exp(-dt/k) + Q_infil * (1 - exp(-dt/k)) where k is the aquifer storage constant controlling recession rate.