Watershed configuration and geographic information system parameterization for spur model hydrologic simulations
- Environmental Resources Research Inst., University Park, PA (United States)
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (United States)
A grid cell geographic information system (GIS) is used to parameterize SPUR, a quasi-physically based surface runoff model in which a watershed is configured as a set of stream segments and contributing areas. GIS analysis techniques produce various watershed configurations by progressive simplification of a stream network delineated from digital elevation models (DEM). The authors used three watershed configurations: {ge}2nd, {ge}4th, and {ge}13th Shreve order networks, where the watershed contains 28, 15, and 1 channel segments with 66, 37, and 3 contributing areas, respectively. Watershed configuration controls simulated daily and monthly sums of runoff volumes. For the climatic and topographic setting in southeastern Arizona the {ge}4th order configuration of the stream network and contributing areas produces results that are typically as good as the {ge} 2nd order network. However both are consistently better than the {ge}13th order configuration. Due to the degree of parameterization in SPUR, model simulations cannot be significantly improved by increasing watershed configuration beyond the {ge}4th order network. However, a range of Soil Conservation Service curve numbers derived from rainfall/runoff data can affect model simulations. Higher curve numbers yield better results for the {ge}2nd order network while lower curve numbers yield better results for the {ge}4th order network.
- OSTI ID:
- 5896105
- Journal Information:
- Water Resources Bulletin; (United States), Vol. 27:1; ISSN 0043-1370
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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