GeoWater Lab Peking University

GeoWater Lab @ PKU

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, and professional service that reflect our lab’s contributions to global hydrology.

Water Security Floodplain Urbanization Remote Sensing Noah-MP SWOT Mission Hydroclimatology River Routing Data Assimilation Cryosphere Urban Resilience Flood Modeling Global Rivers Hydrology Sustainable Development

Published Articles

* corresponding author · † GeoWater Lab member

Submitted / In RevisionPre-publication highlights

  • Relative Centroid Index (RCI): A novel scale-independent metric for assessing hydrological distributions across hierarchical river networks.

    Yin, Z.†, Lin, P.*, Yamazaki, D. (2026)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Relative Centroid Index (RCI): A novel scale-independent metric for assessing hydrological distributions across hierarchical river networks
2026Latest breakthroughs

  • Hidden complexity in reservoir flow regulation revealed by spectral analysis.

    Zhang, F.†, Lin, P.*, Tu, T. (2026)

    Geophysical Research Letters, 53, e2026GL121654

    Figure 2: spectral decomposition framework for reservoir flow regulation

  • Observation-based spatiotemporal analysis of the evolving flood regulation capacity for the Yangtze River Basin.

    Su, J.†, Lin, P.*, Zheng, K.†, Lei, X.†, Yin, Z.†, Hou, A., Xie, S. (2026)

    Geophysical Research Letters, 53(8), e2025GL120255

    Figure 1: PIPE workflow linking precipitation events and flood inundation

  • Leveraging “SWOT and a-priori information (SWAP)” constrained channel parameters for improved historical river discharge estimates from space.

    Xu, J.†, Yuan, Z.†, Xu, Y.†, and Lin, P.* (2026)

    ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 235, 536–550

    Figure 1: study sites and SWAP discharge-estimation workflow

  • Human perturbations reshape hydrological responses in riverine systems: Insights from a reach-level quantification framework to the Pearl River Basin.

    Lin, H.†, Lin, P.*, Zheng, K.† (2026)

    Sustainable Horizons, 17, 100174

    WeChat News
    Figure 1: reach-level framework for quantifying river confinements and hydrological responses

  • Process diagnostics of snowmelt runoff in global hydrological models: Part I – Model evaluation from the perspective of robustness.

    Lei, X.†, Lin, H.†, Zheng, K.†, Lin, P.* (2026)

    Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

    Figure 1: snowmelt runoff processes, diagnostics, and study basins

  • Process diagnostics of snowmelt runoff in global hydrological models: Part II – Are more complex models better?

    Lei, X.†, Lin, H.†, Zheng, K.†, Lin, P.* (2026)

    Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

    Figure 6: model complexity versus model performance
2025Latest highlights

  • Flood regulation as a multivariate challenge in the Anthropocene: a systematic modeling approach.

    Zheng, K.† & Lin, P.* (2025)

    Environmental Research Letters

    Publication visual for Flood regulation as a multivariate challenge in the Anthropocene: a systematic modeling approach

  • Systematic analyses of meteorological forcing and process parameterization uncertainties in modeling runoff with Noah-MP for the Upper Brahmaputra River Basin.

    Lei, X.†, Lin, P.*, Zheng, H., Fei, W.†, Yin, Z.†, Ren, H. (2025)

    Journal of Hydrology

    Publication visual for Systematic analyses of meteorological forcing and process parameterization uncertainties in modeling runoff with Noah-MP for the Upper Brahmaputra River Basin

  • Fusion sensing for urban resilience.

    Liu, Y., Fan, W., Guo, Q., Huang, Z., Ren, H., Dong, L., Zhang, F.†, Lin, P. (2025)

    The Innovation

    Publication visual for Fusion sensing for urban resilience

  • Natural fluvial connection across watersheds.

    Guo, X., Piliouras, A., Lin, P., Yao, W. (2025)

    Earth-Science Reviews

    Publication visual for Natural fluvial connection across watersheds

  • The River Experiment Initiative: Advancing Global Surface Water Science for Local Societal Benefits.

    David, C.H., Augusto, G., Lin, P., Munier, S., Schumann, G., Yamazaki, D. et al. (2025)

    The GEWEX Quarterly

    As co-leads of the RivEx GEWEX Hydroclimatology Panel initiative, we are establishing a common strategy for comparing river models to inform decision support activities.
    Publication visual for The River Experiment Initiative: Advancing Global Surface Water Science for Local Societal Benefits

  • Impacts of changes in climate, cryosphere, and vegetation on freshwater supply in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.

    Liu, W., Li, Y., Li, D., Lin, P., Wang, X., Pritchard, H.D., Kraaijenbrink, P.D.A. (2025)

    Journal of Hydrology

    Publication visual for Impacts of changes in climate, cryosphere, and vegetation on freshwater supply in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau

  • Global daily discharge estimation based on grid long short-term memory (LSTM) model and river routing.

    Yang, Y., Feng, D., Beck, H.E., Hu, W., Abbas, A., Sengupta, A., Delle Monache, L., Hartman, R., Lin, P., Shen, C., Pan, M. (2025)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Global daily discharge estimation based on grid long short-term memory (LSTM) model and river routing
2024Innovations in remote sensing

  • Revisiting At-a-Station Hydraulic Geometry using discharge observations and satellite-derived river widths.

    Yuan, Z.†, Lin, P.*, Guo, X., Zhang, K., Beck, H.E. (2024)

    Journal of Remote Sensing

    Editor’s Highlight
    Publication visual for Revisiting At-a-Station Hydraulic Geometry using discharge observations and satellite-derived river widths

  • SHIFT: A DEM-based Spatial Heterogeneity Improved Mapping of Global Geomorphic Floodplains.

    Zheng, K.†, Lin, P.*, Yin, Z.† (2024)

    Earth System Science Data

    Publication visual for SHIFT: A DEM-based Spatial Heterogeneity Improved Mapping of Global Geomorphic Floodplains

  • A synthesis of global streamflow characteristics, hydrometeorology, catchment attributes (GSHA) for large-sample river-centric studies.

    Yin, Z.†, Lin, P.*, G.H. Allen, R. Riggs, X. Lei†, Z. Zheng, S. Cai (2024)

    Earth System Science Data

    Publication visual for A synthesis of global streamflow characteristics, hydrometeorology, catchment attributes (GSHA) for large-sample river-centric studies

  • Tracking global floodplain urban growth.

    Lin, P.*, Yin, Z.†, Zheng, K.†, et al. (2024)

    The Innovation Geoscience

    Publication visual for Tracking global floodplain urban growth

  • Global patterns in river water storage dependent on residence time.

    Collins, E., C.H. David, R. Riggs, G.H. Allen, T.M. Pavelsky, Lin, P., M. Pan, D. Yamazaki, R.K. Meentemeyer, G.M. Sanchez (2024)

    Nature Geoscience

    Publication visual for Global patterns in river water storage dependent on residence time
2023River observation breakthroughs

  • Inversion of river discharge from river width: a critical assessment at three thousand gauges.

    Lin, P.*, D. Feng, C. Gleason, M. Pan, C. Brinkerhoff, H. Beck, R. Frasson (2023)

    Remote Sensing of Environment

    Publication visual for Inversion of river discharge from river width: a critical assessment at three thousand gauges

  • Reversal of the levee effect towards sustainable floodplain management.

    Ding, M.†, Lin, P.*, S. Gao, J. Wang, Z. Zeng, K. Zheng†, X. Zhou, D. Yamazaki, Y. Gao, Y. Liu (2023)

    Nature Sustainability

    Featured article
    Publication visual for Reversal of the levee effect towards sustainable floodplain management

  • A global-scale framework for hydropower development incorporating strict environmental constraints.

    Xu, R.R., Zeng, Z.Z., et al. (including P. Lin) (2023)

    Nature Water

    Publication visual for A global-scale framework for hydropower development incorporating strict environmental constraints

  • Assessment of runoff simulation in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin based on the multi-physics Noah-MP land surface model.

    Yang, H., X. Lei†, H. Zheng, W. Fei, Z. Liu, Lin, P.* (2023)

    Chinese Science Bulletin

    Publication visual for Assessment of runoff simulation in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin based on the multi-physics Noah-MP land surface model

  • Making China’s water data accessible, usable and shareable.

    Lin et al. (including Lin, P.) (2023)

    Nature Water

    Publication visual for Making China’s water data accessible, usable and shareable

  • A framework for estimating global river discharge from Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission observations.

    Durand, M., et al. (including Lin, P.) (2023)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for A framework for estimating global river discharge from Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission observations
2022Data assimilation & carbon routing

  • The impact of multi-sensor land data assimilation on river discharge estimation.

    Wu, W., Z.-L. Yang, L. Zhao, P. Lin (2022)

    Remote Sensing of Environment

    Publication visual for The impact of multi-sensor land data assimilation on river discharge estimation

  • Assessing placement bias of the global river gauge network.

    Krabbenhoft, C., G. Allen, P. Lin, co-authors (2022)

    Nature Sustainability

    Publication visual for Assessing placement bias of the global river gauge network

  • The importance of hydrology in routing terrestrial carbon to the atmosphere via global streams and rivers.

    Liu, S., C. Kuhn, G. Amatulli, K. Aho, D. Butman, G.H. Allen, P. Lin, M. Pan, X. Yang, C. Brinkerhoff, C. Gleason, P. Raymond (2022)

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

    Publication visual for The importance of hydrology in routing terrestrial carbon to the atmosphere via global streams and rivers

  • RODEO: An algorithm and Google Earth Engine application for river discharge retrieval from Landsat.

    Riggs, R., G.H. Allen, C.H. David, P. Lin, M. Pan, X. Yang, C. Gleason (2022)

    Environmental Modelling & Software

    Publication visual for RODEO: An algorithm and Google Earth Engine application for river discharge retrieval from Landsat
2021Model-data fusion

  • A new vector-based global river network dataset accounting for variable drainage density.

    Lin, P., M. Pan, E.F. Wood, D. Yamazaki, G. Allen (2021)

    Scientific Data

    Publication visual for A new vector-based global river network dataset accounting for variable drainage density

  • Recent changes to Arctic river discharge.

    Feng, D., C. Gleason, P. Lin, X. Yang, M. Pan, Y. Ishitsuka (2021)

    Nature Communications

    Publication visual for Recent changes to Arctic river discharge

  • Deforestation-induced warming over tropical mountain regions regulated by elevation.

    Zeng, Z., D. Wang, L. Yang, J. Wu, A.D. Ziegler, M. Liu, P. Cai, S. Searchinger, Z.L. Yang, D. Chen, A. Chen, L. Li, S. Piao, D. Taylor, X. Cai, M. Pan, L. Peng, P. Lin, et al. (2021)

    Nature Geoscience

    Publication visual for Deforestation-induced warming over tropical mountain regions regulated by elevation

  • Combining optical remote sensing, McFLI discharge estimation, global hydrologic modeling, and data assimilation to improve daily discharge estimates.

    Ishitsuka, Y., C. Gleason, M. Hageman, E. Beighley, G. Allen, D. Feng, P. Lin, M. Pan, K. Andreadis, T. Pavelsky (2021)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Combining optical remote sensing, McFLI discharge estimation, global hydrologic modeling, and data assimilation to improve daily discharge estimates

  • Reducing solar radiation forcing uncertainty and its impact on surface energy and water fluxes.

    Peng, L., Z. Wei, Z. Zeng, P. Lin, E.F. Wood, J. Sheffield (2021)

    Journal of Hydrometeorology

    Publication visual for Reducing solar radiation forcing uncertainty and its impact on surface energy and water fluxes

  • Global reach-level 3-hourly river flood reanalysis (1980–2019).

    Yang, Y., M. Pan, P. Lin, H. Beck, Z. Zeng, D. Yamazaki, C. David, H. Lu, K. Yang, Y. Hong, E. Wood (2021)

    Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

    Publication visual for Global reach-level 3-hourly river flood reanalysis (1980–2019)

  • Exploring the factors controlling the error structure of SWOT discharge estimates.

    Frasson, R., M. Durand, K. Larnier, C. Gleason, K. Andreadis, M. Hagenmaier, H. Bjerklie, H. Oubanas, P.A. Garambois, P.O. Malaterre, P. Lin, et al. (2021)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Exploring the factors controlling the error structure of SWOT discharge estimates

  • A vector-based river routing model for Earth System Models: Parallelization and global performance.

    Mizukami, N., N. Clark, S. Gharari, E. Kluzek, M. Pan, P. Lin, H.E. Beck, Z. Zeng, Z. Yang, L. Zhao, Y. Fan, E. Wood (2021)

    Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems

    Publication visual for A vector-based river routing model for Earth System Models: Parallelization and global performance

  • Ensemble skill gains obtained from multi-physics versus multi-model approaches for continental-scale hydrologic simulations.

    Fei, W.†, H. Zheng, Z. Xu, W. Wu, P. Lin, Y. Tian, M. Guo, D. She, L. Li, K. Li, Z.L. Yang (2021)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Ensemble skill gains obtained from multi-physics versus multi-model approaches for continental-scale hydrologic simulations

  • Spatiotemporal variability of global river extent and the natural driving factors revealed by decades of Landsat observations, GRACE gravimetry observations, and land surface model simulations.

    Gao, S., Z. Li, M. Chen, P. Lin, Z. Hong, D. Allen, T. Neeson, Y. Feng (2021)

    Remote Sensing of Environment

    Publication visual for Spatiotemporal variability of global river extent and the natural driving factors revealed by decades of Landsat observations, GRACE gravimetry observations, and land surface model simulations
2020Global change applications

  • Global estimates of reach-level bankfull river width leveraging big-data geospatial analysis.

    Lin, P., M. Pan, G. Allen, R. Frasson, Z. Zeng, Z. Yamazaki, E. Wood (2020)

    Geophysical Research Letters

    Publication visual for Global estimates of reach-level bankfull river width leveraging big-data geospatial analysis

  • Assimilating multi-satellite snow data in gauged Eurasia improves Asian monsoon seasonal anomaly simulations.

    Lin, P., Z.-L. Yang, J. Wei, R.E. Dickinson, Y. Zhang, L. Zhao (2020)

    Environmental Research Letters

    Media coverage
    Publication visual for Assimilating multi-satellite snow data in gauged Eurasia improves Asian monsoon seasonal anomaly simulations

  • Constraining remote river discharge using reach-scale geomorphology.

    Brinkerhoff, C., C. Gleason, D. Feng, P. Lin (2020)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for Constraining remote river discharge using reach-scale geomorphology

  • Understanding the re-infiltration processes for simulating streamflow in North Central Texas using the WRF-Hydro Modeling System.

    Zhang, J.*, P. Lin, S. Gao, N.Z. Fang (2020)

    Journal of Hydrology

    * graduate advisee
    Publication visual for Understanding the re-infiltration processes for simulating streamflow in North Central Texas using the WRF-Hydro Modeling System

  • Global fully-distributed parameter regionalization based on observed streamflow from 4,229 headwater catchments.

    Beck, H., M. Pan, P. Lin, J. Seibert, A. van Dijk, E.F. Wood (2020)

    JGR: Atmospheres

    Publication visual for Global fully-distributed parameter regionalization based on observed streamflow from 4,229 headwater catchments

  • Falsification-oriented signature-based evaluation for enhancing land surface models.

    Zheng, H., Z.-L. Yang, P. Lin et al. (2020)

    Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems

    Publication visual for Falsification-oriented signature-based evaluation for enhancing land surface models

  • Elevation regulates the biophysical climate impacts of mountain deforestation.

    Zeng, Z. et al. (including P. Lin) (2020)

    Nature Geoscience

    Publication visual for Elevation regulates the biophysical climate impacts of mountain deforestation

  • Elucidating diverse drought characteristics using SPI and SPEI in China.

    Li, L., S. She, S. Zheng, P. Lin, Z.L. Yang (2020)

    Journal of Hydrometeorology

    Publication visual for Elucidating diverse drought characteristics using SPI and SPEI in China

  • High spatiotemporal resolution mapping of global urban change from 1985 to 2015.

    Liu et al. (including P. Lin) (2020)

    Nature Sustainability

    Publication visual for High spatiotemporal resolution mapping of global urban change from 1985 to 2015

  • Modeling nitrogen dynamics on regional terrestrial carbon and water cycles over China with Noah-MP-CN.

    Liang, J., Z.-L. Yang, X. Cai, P. Lin, H. Zheng (2020)

    Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

    Publication visual for Modeling nitrogen dynamics on regional terrestrial carbon and water cycles over China with Noah-MP-CN
2019Foundational datasets

  • Global reconstruction of naturalized river flows at 2.94 million reaches.

    Lin, P., M. Pan, H.E. Beck, Y. Yang, D. Yamazaki, R. Frasson, C.H. David, M. Durand, T. Pavelsky, G. Allen, C. Gleason, E.F. Wood (2019)

    Water Resources Research

    EOS Editor’s Highlight
    Publication visual for Global reconstruction of naturalized river flows at 2.94 million reaches

  • Enhancing SWOT discharge assimilation through spatiotemporal correlations.

    Yang, Y., P. Lin, M. Pan et al. (2019)

    Remote Sensing of Environment

    Publication visual for Enhancing SWOT discharge assimilation through spatiotemporal correlations

  • Systematic hydrological evaluation of the Noah-MP land surface model over China.

    Liang, J., Z.-L. Yang, P. Lin (2019)

    Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

    Publication visual for Systematic hydrological evaluation of the Noah-MP land surface model over China

  • On the Sensitivity of the Precipitation Partitioning Into Evapotranspiration and Runoff in Land Surface Parameterizations.

    H. Zheng, Z.-L. Yang, P. Lin et al. (2019)

    Water Resources Research

    Publication visual for On the Sensitivity of the Precipitation Partitioning Into Evapotranspiration and Runoff in Land Surface Parameterizations
DissertationPhD Research
2012–2018Graduate & early work

  • Insights into hydrometeorological factors constraining flood prediction skill during major Texas Hill Country floods.

    Lin, P., L.J. Hopper Jr., Z.-L. Yang, M. Lenz, J.W. Zeitler (2018)

    Journal of Hydrometeorology

    Publication visual for Insights into hydrometeorological factors constraining flood prediction skill during major Texas Hill Country floods

  • Implementation of a vector-based river network routing model in the community WRF-Hydro system for flood discharge simulation.

    Lin, P., Z.-L. Yang, D.J. Gochis, Y. Wei, D.R. Maidment, M.A.S. Valenzuela, C.L. Phillips (2018)

    Environmental Modelling & Software

    Publication visual for Implementation of a vector-based river network routing model in the community WRF-Hydro system for flood discharge simulation

  • Irrigation-induced environmental changes around the Aral Sea: An integrated view from multiple satellite observations.

    Jin, Q., J. Wei, Z.-L. Yang, P. Lin (2017)

    Remote Sensing

    Publication visual for Irrigation-induced environmental changes around the Aral Sea: An integrated view from multiple satellite observations

  • Spatio-temporal evaluation of simulated evapotranspiration and streamflow over Texas using the WRF-Hydro-RAPID framework.

    Lin, P., M. Rajib, Z.-L. Yang, et al. (2017)

    Journal of the American Water Resources Association

    Publication visual for Spatio-temporal evaluation of simulated evapotranspiration and streamflow over Texas using the WRF-Hydro-RAPID framework

  • National Water Center Innovators Program Summer Institute Report.

    Maidment, D.R., A.D. Rajib, P. Lin, E.P. Clark (Eds.) (2016)

    CUAHSI Technical Report No.13

    Publication visual for National Water Center Innovators Program Summer Institute Report

  • Snow data assimilation-constrained land initialization improves seasonal temperature prediction.

    Lin, P., J. Wei, Z.-L. Yang, Y.-F. Zhang, K. Zhang (2016)

    Geophysical Research Letters

    Publication visual for Snow data assimilation-constrained land initialization improves seasonal temperature prediction

  • Development and evaluation of a physically-based lake level model for water resource management: A case study for Lake Buchanan, Texas.

    Lin, P., Z.-L. Yang, X. Cai, C.H. David (2015)

    Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies

    Publication visual for Development and evaluation of a physically-based lake level model for water resource management: A case study for Lake Buchanan, Texas
2012 (Undergraduate)