Department of Geography.

Valahia University of Targoviste

Annals of Valahia University of Targoviste. Geographical Series
Tome 15/2015 Issues 2: 94-100
http://fsu.valahia.ro/images/avutgs/home.html

SEASONAL FLOW REGIME FOR THE RIVERS

INSIDE SUCEAVA HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN
Adriana Mihaela PORCUAN1
1 Babe-Bolyai

University, Faculty of Geography, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,

E-mail: pigadr89@yahoo.com

Abstract
Suceava River is the first tributary of Siret River on Romanian territory and has a medium contribution to the
rivers discharge. Its basin includes parts of the eastern part of Eastern Carpathians (a part of Bukovina
Ridges) and also a part of the Suceava Plateau. This placement results in some variation of rivers water
regime, both in space and time. For this study, we took into analyse the period 1970 2010 that presents high
variations of river water regime. The analysed data came from eight hydrometric stations inside Suceava river
basin, three on the main course and five on the tributaries. We have analysed rivers discharges in all seasons,
highlighting the years and seasons with extreme values. Also, we used meteorological data (precipitation,
temperatures) for the same time period, to make a correlation between the river flow and the climatic factors.
The results show changes from a season to another, with increase in winter and autumn and decrease in
spring time, and during the years, with a decrease at the beginning of the period and a strong increase at the
end of these years.
Keywords: Regime, river flow, discharge, variation, season, trend.

1 INTRODUCTION

The catchment of Suceava River, right tributary of the Siret River, is stretching from
Romania 4731' and 4759' northern latitude and 2505' and 2633' eastern longitude. Its basin is
asymmetric with development on the right side, drains the eastern edge of the northern group of the
Eastern Carpathians (Bukovina Ridges), then passes through the contact area consisting of hills and
depressions (Marginea Ciungi Piedmont) and the lower basin develops in Suceava Plateau.
Suceava River has a length of 2616 km and an area of 2956 km2, of which 13% develops in
Ukraine. Maximum altitude is 1250 m registered at basins springs, reaching 540 m at its mouth,
with an absolute difference of 710 m (Figure 1).
The term river flow regime bears many names. In the international literature, it is found in
the following forms: river flow regime in English literature, rgime hydrologique in the French
literature, and gidrologicheskiy rezhim in Russian literature (Lvovich, 1938). In the English
literature it is defined as: "the difference of a river flow over the year", and in the French literature
"all variations of the condition and characteristics of water formations, repeated regularly in time
and space and converted to cyclic changes, such as seasonal".
In the Romanian literature, river flow regime was first defined by Lzrescu, D. and Panait,
I. in 1957 as "... time variation (within a month, a season, a year or more years) of the water
quantity passing through a section of a river". The first detailed analysis of the river flow regime
types in Romania was made by Ujvari, I. (1957, 1965, 1972), starting from types of regime
described by Pard, M. (1947). Pard identified three major hydrological types (Carpathian,

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Pericarpathian and Ponto-Danubian) and 12 subtypes, conditioned by the presence of the

Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea.

Fig. 1. Suceava River Basin

2. DATA BASE AND USED METHODS

Table 1. Hydrometric stations from Suceava River

Basin
Ru

Staie

F
(km2)

Hm
(m)

Q
(m3/s)

Cv

Suceava
Suceava
Suceava
Brodina
Pozen
Putna
Solone
Scheia

Brodina 2
ibeni
Icani
Brodina 1
Horodnic
Putna
Prhui
Scheia

366
1288
2334
142
67
53
204
33

990
730
629
989
488
847
467
388

4,30
12,0 5
16,990
1,715
0,533
0,631
1,250
0,163

0.495
0.56
0.57
0.52
0.67
0.55
0.67
0.65

To better analyze the main water

flow regime parameters, there were taken
in consideration maximum and average
discharge data from eight hydrometric
stations in the basin content, three on the
main course and five on the most import
tributaries (Table 1). The data were
processed over a period of 40 years (19702010), presenting the evolution of basins
rivers flow regime in recent years. Also,
daily rainfall data, taken from Bucharest
National Meteorological Administration
(source: ROCADA Program), were
analyzed to obtain average annual rainfall

data over a period of 50 years (1961-2013).

For the characterization of the main parameters (duration, frequency, variability, average
and seasonal values, etc.) there were applied statistical methods and graphical techniques, which
allowed the identification flow trend, variability and shape of strings. Relations between the
mentioned parameters were revealed using correlation matrices.

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3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1 Seasonal flow regime

The flow distribution during the year in Suceava River Basin reflects very well the variation
of average annual precipitation fallen in the basin during this period.
Seasonal space - time flow variation

Winter (XII - II) presents the lowest

discharge values (between 8-14% of the annual
volume) for all three stations analyzed, with
increased values from the mountain to the plateau
(Fig. 2). The lowest values (8% - Brodina 2) are
registered in the upper mountain region, values
specific to alpine areas. The highest value (18,2%
- cheia) is specific to the plateau region, being
registered in the only sub-basin completely
Fig. 2. Seasonal flow variation (in %) in
developed in the plateau region.
Suceava River Basin between 1970 - 2010
These values are determined by the small
quantities of liquid precipitation in this season (Fig. 3), the long persistence of snow (November to
March) and negative temperatures, which greatly reduces the amount of water drained from rivers.
So in this season do not appear high water periods, neither floods. These low winter flow values are
among the lowest in the country (corresponding to the mountain region in the north), as opposed to
high levels of flow (32-40%) which was recorded in the west of the country (Ujvari, 1972).
In spring (III - V), flow values vary between 27.8% (Horodnic) and 35.8% (ibeni) of the
average annual amount. The highest values are recorded in the mountains and on the main and
lower the lower basin of the river basin Suceava. These values are lower than those found in the
northern and eastern parts of the country during the spring (45-50%), because rainfall during this
period had a downward trend (see Fig. 4).
During this period predominates spring floods, which are caused by the gradual melting of
snow in the mountain (which may be delayed until early spring). Towards the middle of this season,
the snow melting may overlap liquid precipitation generating floods especially in April.

Fig. 3. Annual rainfall variation in Suceava

River Basin

Fig. 4 Rainfall variantion and trend in

April

Summer (VI - VIII) is the season with the highest drainage values at all stations during the
year due to heavy rain fallen during this period. These are caused by strong convective rains
brought by retrograde Mediterranean cyclones over the Black Sea and by cold cyclones originating
in the Baltic Sea Region (Ujvari, 1972).

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Table. 3. Average rainfalls values for the months June, July

and August and those registered in 3 days during the
extraordinary floods from Suceava River Basin in 2005, 2008
and 2010
June

July

August

average

2010

average

2008

average

2005

Brodina

138

83

146

220

112

168

Marginea

115

95

117

130

87

121

Bosanci

97

130

103

76

74

113

The highest percentage summer flow values are registered in the mountains (41.8% Brodina 1), decreasing to 32.5% in the plateau (cheia). In this season most floods occur, caused by
heavy rains fallen during this period. These values decrease from the mountains to the plateau, due
to lower rainfall with altitude.
The lowest flow values in summer were recorded during 1992 - 2002. The highest values
appeared at the end of the study period (2005-2010), when there were recorded historic runoff
levels in Suceava river basin. These were caused by exceptional rainfall, which almost equaled 2-3
days or exceeded the yearly rainfall amount of that month (see Table 3). Also, these years are
periods with increased summer rainfall, causing an increasing trend of summer rainfall, which
caused the growth of the flow values for such a region (25-35%) (Ujvari, 1972).

Fig.4. Multiannual variation of summer flow at Brodina 2, Icani and Prhui hydrometric stations
In autumn (IX - XI), with decreasing evaporation the rainfalls decrease, exceeding those in
winter. Autumn discharge values vary between 15.7% (Icani) and 20.7% (Horodnic).
Compared to winter, in this season may occur autumn high waters, stretching until October,
and even flash floods overlaying autumn low waters (in September). In autumn, precipitation shows
a slight growing trend, but flow values are maintained within normal limits.
3.1.2. Seasonal flow repartition types

Seasonal runoff distribution types were determined according to seasonal flow in descending
order of their contribution to the annual flow (Table 4). The main type of distribution is SSpA
(Summer - Spring - Autumn), except Prhui Station, where during spring runoff values easily
exceed those of summer, and Scheia, where autumn values exceed those from winter. The
differences between the values recorded in these seasons are low (0.3%), making them insignificant.
However, it can be said that higher values in winter runoff of cheia catchment are due to basins
small size and its positioning entirely within Suceava Plateau. The longest spring runoff values are
registered in Solone river basin caused by its positioning mostly in the plateau region, which causes
more rapid melting of snow than in other basins, which develops more in the mountainous regions.

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Tabel. 4. Flow types at stations from

Suceava River Basin
River
Brodina
Suceava
Suceava
Suceava
Putna
Pozen
Solonet
cheia

Station
Brodina 1
Brodina 2
Tibeni
Icani
Putna
Horodnic
Prhui
cheia

Flow type
S.Sp.A
S.Sp.A
S.Sp.A
S.Sp.A
S.Sp.A
S.Sp.A
Sp.S.A
S.Sp.A

3.1.3. Seasonal flow oscillation and trend

The flow variation in time can be evidenced by the coefficients of variation (CV), lower
values of the coefficient indicating greater stability of the flow. The mean CV's specific value for
this region of the country is between 0.4-0.5 in the mountains, and 0.5-0.6 in the plateau.
In Suceava River Basin, the lowest flow values of variation occur in winter. Also, the
values increase from the mountains to the plateau. The values recorded at Brodina Station 2
maintain around 0.45, while at Icani station around 0.53, remaining between the mean values of
CV's specific to this region. At the station Prhui the values are the highest, in spring and summer
(0.74) exceeding the average values specific to this region. This is determined predominantly by the
positioning of Prhui river basin in the plateau area, requiring a more unstable flow.

Fig. 4. Cv seasonal values variation at Brodina 2, Icani and Prhui stations

Following the seasonal runoff trend in the period 1970 - 2010 there was a great diversity of
evolution, driven by certain factors, in particular the climate.
River
Suceava

Brodina
Solone

Tabel. 5. Linear trends of seasonal flow in Suceava River Basin

Station
Winter
Spring
Summer
Brodina 2
ibeni
Icani
Brodina 1
Prhui
Increase

SI
St
I
St
PI
SI - Slight
PI - Pronounced

PD
PD
PD
PD
SD
Decrease

St
St
St
St
SI
SD Slight
PD - Pronounced

Autumn
St
St
SI
St
SI
St - Stationary

The seasonal trend of multiannual water flow in the period 1970 - 2010 was, overall,
stationary (Table 5). A special case is the season of spring, when the trend was steadily decreasing
at all stations analyzed, more pronounced at stations located within Suceava Plateau. The other
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seasons had values stationary or slowly growing. The highest increases were registered in winter
(especially at Prhui station), while summer season was the one who remained stationary. It can
be seen that this specific character appears mostly in the mountain area, where the increases and
decreases were lower, showing the balancing character of higher altitudes. At lower altitudes,
toward the plateau, variations were greater, with climatic influences more pronounced here.
This overall evolution of the flow trend shows a weather warming period in Suceava river
basin, which caused an increase in runoff during this period in seasons with low flow values,
especially after 2000, thus causing water risk phenomena (floods) in seasons in which they usually
do not occur (end of winter, autumn). In Figure 5 we can see very eloquent the flow oscillation and
trend of Suceava river water at Icani station during 1970-2010.

Fig. 5 Multiannual seasonal water flow variation and trend at Icani Station

CONCLUSIONS

After the analysis of average flow and Cv seasonal values during 1970 2010, it could be
observed that Suceava River Basin falls in the Eastern Carpathians hydrological regime, as
presented Ujvari (1972) for this region of Romania.
One can notice a slight change of water regime, with an increase in water volume values
during winter and autumn, beginning to decline during the spring. Also, there is a strong increase of
extreme summer events (floods) in late summer, due to strong, constant growth after 2002 of
rainfalls, which indicates a warmer climatic period.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This paper is a result of a research made possible by the financial support of the Sectoral
Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European
Social Fund, under the project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132400 - Young successful researchers
professional development in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
The author wishes to express her thanks to Mr. Florin Obreja from Siret Water Basin
Administration and to the personnel of Suceava Water Management System, which helped me in
obtaining discharge data necessary for this paper and to Mr. Marius Birsan from National
Meteorological Administration, which helped me obtaining climatic data.
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