Evaluation of swat-terrace performance for simulating the benefits of terraces on runoff and erosion

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sitarrine Thongpussawal
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Percent Reduction ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
P Factor

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Terracing is a conservation practice to reduce erosion and intercept runoff from steep lands. Terraces control erosion and runoff by dividing long slopes into shorter slopes; thus, decreasing slope length, which reduces the magnitude and velocity of concentrated flow and allows for sediment to deposit in the cut segment of the terraces. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a continuous time, semi-distributed, watershed scale hydrologic model widely used to evaluate runoff and erosion. To account for terrace effects on runoff and erosion, SWAT has relied on reducing the slope length, adjusting the empirical Universal Soil Erosion Equation (USLE) support practice factor (P-factor), and adjusting the hydrologic runoff Curve Number (CN). This tool has limitations, and the runoff and erosion may not be well estimated because of changes in land shape after terrace installation. A modification of the SWAT (called SWAT-Terrace or SWAT-T) explicitly simulates runoff and erosion from terraces by separating terraces into three segments instead of evaluating the entire terrace. SWAT-T aims to improve the simulation of the hydrologic process of runoff and erosion from terraces. The objectives of this work are to 1) evaluate the performance of SWAT-T for simulating the terrace benefits on runoff and erosion from the Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed (GCEW) at the Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) and watershed scales, and 2) compare terrace benefits on runoff and erosion estimated with SWAT and with SWAT-T in GCEW. The SWAT model was parameterized for the slope length, USLE P-factor, and the CN. The SWAT-T model was parameterized for slope length, steepness, and USLE P-factor for three terrace segments. Data from 1993-2010 measured at the watershed outlet were used to evaluate the models. To estimate terrace benefits on runoff and erosion, models were compared with and without terraces. Results of SWAT-T showed good performance for the monthly runoff, but poor performance for the monthly erosion. This is probably because of large storms in spring 2002 that prevented planting, causing poorly simulated scheduling of actual field operations. SWAT-T showed [about]2 percent reduction in runoff and [about]13 percent reduction in erosion at the HRU scale and showed 0.1 percent reduction of runoff and [about]3 percent reduction in erosion at the watershed scale. For comparison of terrace benefits on runoff and erosion estimated with SWAT and with SWAT-T, SWAT-T showed more benefit in runoff and erosion at the HRU scale compared to SWAT. Results of SWAT-T showed a 13 percent reduction in runoff and a 95 percent reduction in erosion with terrace installation. Conversely, SWAT showed only a 0.03 percent reduction in runoff and an 89 percent reduction in erosion. Studies using the SWAT-T model indicated that the model may be used for quantifying the terrace benefits on runoff and erosion from terraced-cropped HRUs and watershed scales. Terrace algorithm incorporated in SWAT (SWAT-T) allowed model estimated runoff and erosion trapping in the cut terraced segment leading to better estimation of runoff and erosion.

scholarly journals Hydrological simulation in a tropical humid basin in the Cerrado biome using the SWAT model

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 908-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richarde Marques da Silva ◽  
José Carlos Dantas ◽  
Joyce de Araújo Beltrão ◽  
Celso A. G. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Measured Variable ◽  
Hydrological Simulation ◽  
Cerrado Biome ◽  
Monthly Streamflow ◽  
P Factor ◽  
Water Assessment

Abstract A Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to model streamflow in a tropical humid basin in the Cerrado biome, southeastern Brazil. This study was undertaken in the Upper São Francisco River basin, because this basin requires effective management of water resources in drought and high-flow periods. The SWAT model was calibrated for the period of 1978–1998 and validated for 1999–2007. To assess the model calibration and uncertainty, four indices were used: (a) coefficient of determination (R2); (b) Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NS); (c) p-factor, the percentage of data bracketed by the 95% prediction uncertainty (95PPU); and (d) r-factor, the ratio of average thickness of the 95PPU band to the standard deviation of the corresponding measured variable. In this paper, average monthly streamflow from three gauges (Porto das Andorinhas, Pari and Ponte da Taquara) were used. The results indicated that the R2 values were 0.73, 0.80 and 0.76 and that the NS values were 0.68, 0.79 and 0.73, respectively, during the calibration. The validation also indicated an acceptable performance with R2 = 0.80, 0.76, 0.60 and NS = 0.61, 0.64 and 0.58, respectively. This study demonstrates that the SWAT model provides a satisfactory tool to assess basin streamflow and management in Brazil.

Integrated numerical model for irrigated area water resources management

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 980-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidi Huo ◽  
Xiaofan Wang ◽  
Yan Liang ◽  
Cheng Jiang ◽  
Xiaolu Zheng
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Heihe River Basin ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Long Term Effects

Abstract The likelihood of future global water shortages is increasing and further development of existing operational hydrologic models is needed to maintain sustainable development of the ecological environment and human health. In order to quantitatively describe the water balance factors and transformation relations, the objective of this article is to develop a distributed hydrologic model that is capable of simulating the surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) in irrigation areas. The model can be used as a tool for evaluating the long-term effects of water resource management. By coupling the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and MODFLOW models, a comprehensive hydrological model integrating SW and GW is constructed. The hydrologic response units for the SWAT model are exchanged with cells in the MODFLOW model. Taking the Heihe River Basin as the study area, 10 years of historical data are used to conduct an extensive sensitivity analysis on model parameters. The developed model is run for a 40-year prediction period. The application of the developed coupling model shows that since the construction of the Heihe reservoir, the average GW level in the study area has declined by 6.05 m. The model can accurately simulate and predict the dynamic changes in SW and GW in the downstream irrigation area of Heihe River Basin and provide a scientific basis for water management in an irrigation district.

scholarly journals Flooding Urban Landscapes: Analysis Using Combined Hydrodynamic and Hydrologic Modeling Approaches

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Jha ◽  
Sayma Afreen
Keyword(s):  
Flood Risk ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Critical Infrastructures ◽  
Urban Landscapes

The frequency and severity of floods have been found to increase in recent decades, which have adverse effects on the environment, economics, and human lives. The catastrophe of such floods can be confronted with the advance prediction of floods and reliable analyses methods. This study developed a combined flood modeling system for the prediction of floods, and analysis of associated vulnerabilities on urban infrastructures. The application of the method was tested on the Blue River urban watershed in Missouri, USA, a watershed of historical significance for flood impacts and abundance of data availability for such analyses. The combined modeling system included two models: hydrodynamic model HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center—River Analysis System) and hydrologic model SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). The SWAT model was developed for the watershed to predict time-series hydrograph data at desired locations, followed by the setup of HEC-RAS model for the analysis and prediction of flood extent. Both models were calibrated and validated independently using the observed data. The well-calibrated modeling setup was used to assess the extent of impacts of the hazard by identifying the flood risk zones and threatened critical infrastructures in flood zones through inundation mapping. Results demonstrate the usefulness of such combined modeling systems to predict the extent of flood inundation and thus support analyses of management strategies to deal with the risks associated with critical infrastructures in an urban setting. This approach will ultimately help with the integration of flood risk assessment information in the urban planning process.

Modeling lowland catchment hydrology: A comparison of model versions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Wagner ◽  
Katrin Bieger ◽  
Jeffrey G. Arnold ◽  
Nicola Fohrer
Keyword(s):  
Stream Flow ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
Northern Germany ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Water Assessment ◽  
Soil And Water

<p>The hydrology of rural lowland catchments in Northern Germany is characterized by near-surface groundwater tables and extensive tile drainage. Previous research has shown that representing these characteristics with the hydrologic model SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) required an improvement of groundwater processes, which has been achieved by dividing the shallow aquifer into a fast and a slow shallow aquifer. The latest version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+) features several improvements compared to previous versions of the model, e.g. the definition of landscape units that allow for a better representation of spatio-temporal dynamics. To evaluate the new model capabilities for lowland catchments, we assess the performance of SWAT+ in comparison to previous SWAT applications in the Kielstau Catchment in Northern Germany. The Kielstau Catchment is about 50 km² large, is dominated by agricultural land use, and has been thoroughly monitored since 2005. In particular, we explore the capabilities of SWAT+ in terms of watershed configuration and simulation of landscape processes by comparing two model setups. The first setup is comparable to previous SWAT models for the catchment, i.e. yields from hydrologic response units are summed up at subbasin level and added directly to the stream. In the second SWAT+ model, subbasins are divided into upland areas and floodplains and runoff is routed across the landscape before it reaches the streams. Model performance is assessed with regard to measured stream flow at the outlet of the catchment. Results from the new SWAT+ model confirm that two groundwater layers are necessary to represent stream flow in the catchment. The representation of routing processes from uplands to floodplains in the model further improved the simulation of stream flow. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding and model representation of lowland hydrology.</p>

scholarly journals Performance of HEC-HMS and SWAT to simulate streamflow in the sub-humid tropical Hemavathi catchment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Sanjay Shekar ◽  
D. C. Vinay
Keyword(s):  
Model Calibration ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Hydrological Models ◽  
Daily Streamflow ◽  
Compensation Factor ◽  
Elevation Model

Abstract The present study was conducted to examine the accuracy and applicability of the hydrological models Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC)- Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS) to simulate streamflows. Models combined with the ArcGIS interface have been used for hydrological study in the humid tropical Hemavathi catchment (5,427 square kilometer). The critical focus of the streamflow analysis was to determine the efficiency of the models when the models were calibrated and optimized using observed flows in the simulation of streamflows. Daily weather gauge stations data were used as inputs for the models from 2014–2020 period. Other data inputs required to run the models included land use/land cover (LU/LC) classes resulting from remote sensing satellite imagery, soil map and digital elevation model (DEM). For evaluating the model performance and calibration, daily stream discharge from the catchment outlet data were used. For the SWAT model calibration, available water holding capacity by soil (SOL_AWC), curve number (CN) and soil evaporation compensation factor (ESCO) are identified as the sensitive parameters. Initial abstraction (Ia) and lag time (Tlag) are the significant parameters identified for the HEC-HMS model calibration. The models were subsequently adjusted by autocalibration for 2014–2017 to minimize the variations in simulated and observed streamflow values at the catchment outlet (Akkihebbal). The hydrological models were validated for the 2018–2020 period by using the calibrated models. For evaluating the simulating daily streamflows during calibration and validation phases, performances of the models were conducted by using the Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The SWAT model yielded high R2 and NSE values of 0.85 and 0.82 for daily streamflow comparisons for the catchment outlet at the validation time, suggesting that the SWAT model showed relatively good results than the HEC-HMS model. Also, under modified LU/LC and ungauged streamflow conditions, the calibrated models can be later used to simulate streamflows for future predictions. Overall, the SWAT model seems to have done well in streamflow analysis capably for hydrological studies.

scholarly journals Hydrological modeling using the SWAT Model in urban and peri-urban environments: The case of Kifissos experimental sub-basin (Athens, Greece)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgenia Koltsida ◽  
Nikos Mamassis ◽  
Andreas Kallioras
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Hydrological Modeling ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Curve Number Method ◽  
Hourly Rainfall

Abstract. SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) is a continuous time, semi-distributed river basin model that has been widely used to evaluate the effects of alternative management decisions on water resources. This study, demonstrates the application of SWAT model for streamflow simulation in an experimental basin with daily and hourly rainfall observations to investigate the influence of rainfall resolution on model performance. The model was calibrated for 2018 and validated for 2019 using the SUFI-2 algorithm in the SWAT-CUP program. Daily surface runoff was estimated using the Curve Number method and hourly surface runoff was estimated using the Green and Ampt Mein Larson method. A sensitivity analysis conducted in this study showed that the parameters related to groundwater flow were more sensitive for daily time intervals and channel routing parameters were more influential for hourly time intervals. Model performance statistics and graphical techniques indicated that the daily model performed better than the sub-daily model. The Curve Number method produced higher discharge peaks than the Green and Ampt Mein Larson method and estimated better the observed values. Overall, the general agreement between observations and simulations in both models suggests that the SWAT model appears to be a reliable tool to predict discharge over long periods of time.

scholarly journals Estimation of Surface Runoff to Bahr AL-Najaf

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 51-63
Author(s):  
Ataa Ali Farhan ◽  
Basim Sh. Abed
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
City Center ◽  
P Factor ◽  
Sensitive Parameters ◽  
The City ◽  
Water Assessment

The estimation of the amounts of Surface runoff resulting from rainfall in the water basins is of great importance in water resources management. The study area (Bahr Al-Najaf) is located on the western edge of the plateau and the southwestern part of the city center of Najaf, with an area of 2729.4 (km2). The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) with ArcGIS software was used to simulate the runoff coming from the three main valleys (Kharr (A and B)), Shoaib Al-Rahimawi, and Maleh), that contribute the flow to the study area. The results of the model showed that the SWAT software was successfully simulating the flow conditions based on the coefficient of determination (R2), the Nash coefficient (NSE), P-factor, and R-factor for calibration (validation)  ranged between 0.59-0.62 (0.51-0.59), 0.59-0.66 (0,.60-0.62), 0.57-0.76 (0.62-0.76), and 0.58-0.74 (0.55-0.70) respectively for these valleys. Moreover, the sensitivity results revealed that the most sensitive parameters in (SWAT-CUP) SWAT calibration and uncertainty programs are the curve number (CN2) for the runoff, soil available water capacity (SOL_AWC), and Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Soil_k), according to the calibration results for the main three valleys related the study area. Three hypothesis scenarios were implemented according to the assumed amount of precipitation that would submit a water level of 16,18, and 22 (m.a.m.s.l.) which would result in filling with the bounded lake, the whole study area, and exceeding the boundaries to flood part of the ancient Najaf City.

scholarly journals The Application of Improved SWAT Model to Hydrological Cycle Study in Karst Area of South China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 5024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang ◽  
Shao ◽  
Su ◽  
Cui ◽  
Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Karst Water ◽  
Distributed Hydrological Model ◽  
Lumped Model

In the karst area of southern China, karst water is important for supporting the sustainable production and home living for the local residents. Consequently, it is of significance to fully understand the water cycle, so as to make full use of water resources. In karst areas, epikarst and conduits are developed, participating in the hydrological cycle actively. For conventional lumped hydrologic models, it is difficult to simulate the hydrological cycle accurately. These models neglect to consider the variation of underlying surface and weather change. Meanwhile, for the original distributed hydrological model, the existence of epikarst and underground conduits as well as inadequate data information also make it difficult to achieve accurate simulation. To this end, the framework combining the advantages of lumped model–reservoir model and distributed hydrologic model–Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is established to simulate the water cycle efficiently in a karst area. Xianghualing karst watershed in southern China was selected as the study area and the improved SWAT model was used to simulate the water cycle. Results show that the indicators of ENS and R2 in the calibration and verification periods are both above 0.8, which is evidently improved in comparison with the original model. The improved SWAT model is verified to have better efficiency in describing the hydrological cycle in a typical karst area.

scholarly journals Parameter sensitivity analysis of SWAT model for streamflow simulation with multisource precipitation datasets

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Guo ◽  
Xiaoling Su
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Base Temperature ◽  
Streamflow Prediction ◽  
Moisture Condition ◽  
Simulation Performance ◽  
Fitting Procedure ◽  
Streamflow Simulation

Abstract Streamflow in the Shiyang River basin is numerically investigated based on the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). The interpolation precipitation datasets of GSI, multisource satellite and reanalysis precipitation datasets including TRMM, CMDF, CFSR, CHIRPS and PGF are specially applied as the inputs for SWAT model, and the sensitivities of model parameters, as well as streamflow prediction uncertainties, are discussed via the sequential uncertainty fitting procedure (SUFI-2). Results indicate that streamflow simulation can be effectively improved by downscaling the precipitation datasets. The sensitivities of model parameters vary significantly with respect to different precipitation datasets and sub-basins. CN2 (initial SCS runoff curve number for moisture condition II) and SMTMP (base temperature of snow melt) are found to be the most sensitive parameters, which implies that the generations of surface runoff and snowmelt are extremely crucial for streamflow in this basin. Moreover, the uncertainty analysis of streamflow prediction indicates that the performance of simulation can be further improved by parameter optimization. It also demonstrates that the precipitation data from satellite and reanalysis datasets can be applied to streamflow simulation as effective inputs, and the dependences of parameter sensitivities on basin and precipitation dataset are responsible for the variation of simulation performance.

scholarly journals A Comparative Evaluation of the Performance of CHIRPS and CFSR Data for Different Climate Zones Using the SWAT Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 3088
Author(s):  
Yeganantham Dhanesh ◽  
V. M. Bindhu ◽  
Javier Senent-Aparicio ◽  
Tássia Mattos Brighenti ◽  
Essayas Ayana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Satellite Precipitation ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
Monthly Scale ◽  
Monthly Streamflow

The spatial and temporal scale of rainfall datasets is crucial in modeling hydrological processes. Recently, open-access satellite precipitation products with improved resolution have evolved as a potential alternative to sparsely distributed ground-based observations, which sometimes fail to capture the spatial variability of rainfall. However, the reliability and accuracy of the satellite precipitation products in simulating streamflow need to be verified. In this context, the objective of the current study is to assess the performance of three rainfall datasets in the prediction of daily and monthly streamflow using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). We used rainfall data from three different sources: Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Rainfall with Station data (CHIRPS), Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) and observed rain gauge data. Daily and monthly rainfall measurements from CHIRPS and CFSR were validated using widely accepted statistical measures, namely, correlation coefficient (CC), root mean squared error (RMSE), probability of detection (POD), false alarm ratio (FAR), and critical success index (CSI). The results showed that CHIRPS was in better agreement with ground-based rainfall at daily and monthly scale, with high rainfall detection ability, in comparison with the CFSR product. Streamflow prediction across multiple watersheds was also evaluated using Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE), Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and Percent BIAS (PBIAS). Irrespective of the climatic characteristics, the hydrologic simulations of CHIRPS showed better agreement with the observed at the monthly scale with the majority of the NSE values ranging between 0.40 and 0.78, and KGE values ranging between 0.62 and 0.82. Overall, CHIRPS outperformed the CFSR rainfall product in driving SWAT for streamflow simulations across the multiple watersheds selected for the study. The results from the current study demonstrate the potential of CHIRPS as an alternate open access rainfall input to the hydrologic model.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document