Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of kriging technique to areal precipitation mapping in Arizona

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The classical methods for interpolating and spatial averaging of precipitation fields fail to quantify the accuracy of the estimate. On the other hand, kriging is an interpolation method for predicting values of regionalized variables at points (punctual kriging) or average values over an area (block kriging).

This paper demonstrates the use of the kriging method for mapping and evaluating precipitation data for the State of Arizona. Using 158 rain gauge stations with 30 years or more of record, the precipitation over the state has been modeled as a realization of a two dimensional random field taking into consideration the spatial variability conditions.

Three data sets have been used: (1) the mean annual precipitation over the state; (2) the mean summer rainy season; and (3) the mean winter rainy season. Validation of the empirical semi-variogram for a constant drift case indicated that the exponential model was appropriate for all the data sets. In addition to a global kriging analysis, the data have been examined under an anisotropic assumption which reflects the topographic structure of the state.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bastin, G.; Lorent, B.; Duque, C.; Gevers, M.: Optimal estimation of the average areal rainfall and optimal selection of rainfall gauge location. Water Resources Research 20, 4, 463–470 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chua, S. C.; Bras, R. L.: Optimal estimator of mean areal precipitation in regions of orographic influence. Journal of Hydrology 57, 23–48 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Creutin, J. D.; Obley, Ch.: Objective analysis and mapping techniques for rainfall fields: An objective comparison. Water Resources Research 18, 2, 413–431 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Delfine, P..; Dellhomme, J. P..: Optimum interpolation by kriging. In: Davis, J. C..; McGullagh, M. J.: (ed.), display and Analysis of Spatial data. John Wiley, New York 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delhomme, J. P.: Kriging in the hydroscience. Advances in Water Resources 1, 5, 251–266 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Montmollin, F. A.; Olivier, R. J.; Simard, R. G.; Zwahlen, F.: Evaluation of a precipitation map using a smoothed elevation-precipitation relationship and optimal estimates (kriging). Nordic Hydrology 11, 113–120 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, A. J.; Barclay, P. A.: Methods of determining areal rainfall from observed data. In: Chapman, X.; Dunin, X (eds.), Prediction in Catchment Hydrology, Griffin, Australia 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendricks, D. M.: Arizona Soils. University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Tucson, Arizona 1985

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnieli, A.; Osborn, H. B.: Factor affecting seasonal and annual precipitation in Arizona. Proceedings of the 1988 Meeting of the Arizona Section American Water Resources Association and the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 18, 7–18, 1988.

  • Journel, A. G.; Huijbregts, C. J.: Mining Geostatics. Academic Press, New York 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenton, R. L.; Rodriguez-Iturbe, I.: Rainfall network systems analyses: the optimal estimation of total areal storm depth. Water Resources Research 13, 5, 825–836 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Matheron, G.: The theory of regionalized variables and its application. Cha. Cen. Morphol. Math., 5, Ecol Mines, Fontainbleau 1971.

  • Neuman, S. P.; Jacobson, E. A.: Analysis of nonintrinsic spatial variability by residual kriging with application to regional groundwater levels. Mathematical Geology 16, 5, 499–521 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Obled, Ch.; Creutin, J. D.: Some developments in the use of empirical orthogonal functions for mapping meteorological fields. Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology 25, 9, 1189–1204 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olea, R. A.: Optimum Mapping Techniques Using Regionalized Variable Theory. Kansas Geological Survey, 1975.

  • Sellers, W. D.; Hill, R. H.; Sanderson-Rae, M.: Arizona Climate —The First Hundred Years. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, 84990, Israel

    Karnieli Arnon Dr.

Authors
  1. Karnieli Arnon Dr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karnieli, A. Application of kriging technique to areal precipitation mapping in Arizona. GeoJournal 22, 391–398 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00174760

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00174760

Keywords

Search

Navigation