An Assessment of Mean Areal Precipitation Methods on Simulated Stream Flow: A SWAT Model Performance Assessment

Abstract The Grand River watershed (GRW) is an important agricultural area in Southern Ontario. Land use has been modified by various human endeavors, altering hydrology and increasing export of sediment and nutrients. The objective of this study was to predict spatial and temporal patterns of hydrology, and export of sediment and nutrients from the GRW to Lake Erie using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The Sequential Uncertainty FItting (SUFI2) program was used to calibrate and validate stream flow for years 2001–2010. Calibration and validation of the SWAT model for monthly stream flow at York indicated good model performance (R2, NSE, and PBIAS = 0.64, 0.63 and 7.1 for calibration (2001–2005); = 0.82, 0.74 and 0.2, for validation (2006–2010)). The model was applied to predict sediment and nutrient export from the GRW into Lake Erie. Predicted loading at Dunnville (near the mouth) was 2.3 × 105 tonnes y−1 total suspended sediment, 7.9 × 103 tonnes y−1 TN, and 2.3 × 102 tonnes y−1 TP. This SWAT model can now be used to investigate the relative effects of best management practices, and to forecast effects of climate change, on sustainable water management, hydrology, and sediment and nutrient export to Lake Erie.

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Evaluating the impact of spatial variability of precipitation on streamflow simulation using a SWAT model

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2018.118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 178-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Feng Xue ◽

Peng Shi ◽

Simin Qu ◽

Jianjin Wang ◽

Yanming Zhou

Keyword(s):

Spatial Variability ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Model Performance ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Interpolation Methods ◽

Monthly Streamflow ◽

Areal Precipitation ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact

Abstract The spatial variability of precipitation is often considered to be a major source of uncertainty for hydrological models. The widely used Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is insufficient to calculate a sub-basin's mean areal precipitation (MAP) since it only uses data from the rainfall station nearest to the centroid of each sub-basin. Therefore, Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Thiessen Polygons (TP) and Ordinary Kriging (OK) were applied as alternative interpolation methods in this study to calculate sub-basin MAP. The MAP results from the four methods used for the Xixian Basin were quite different in terms of amount and spatial distribution. The SWAT model performance was then assessed at monthly and daily timescales, based on Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the Coefficient of Determination (R2) as well as Percentage Bias (PBIAS) at the basin outlet. The results under different network densities and spatial distributions of gauge stations indicated that the modified MAP models did not have an advantage over the default Nearest Neighbour (NN) method in simulating monthly streamflow. However, the modified areal precipitation obtained through IDW and TP showed relatively high accuracy in simulating daily flows as the applied rainfall stations changed. The difference in terms of estimated rainfall and streamflow in this study confirmed that evaluation of interpolation methods is necessary before building a SWAT model.

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INFLUENCE OF SOIL TYPE IN STREAM FLOW AND RUNOFF MODELED FOR THE UPPER DIDESSA CATCHMENT SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA USING SWAT MODEL

Journal of Sedimentary Environments ◽

10.12957/jse.2019.47322 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 444-457 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Adisu Befekadu Kebede

Keyword(s):

Surface Runoff ◽

Stream Flow ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Model Performance ◽

Hydrological Process ◽

Southwest Ethiopia ◽

Digital Elevation ◽

Elevation Model ◽

Water Assessment

This study aimed to model the flow of streams and identify the sub-basins responsible for the high flow in the Didessa watershed, southwest Ethiopia, considering the regional soils types. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate stream flow and quantify surface runoff. The input data used were Digital Elevation Model (DEM), land use/land cover map, soil map and metrological data. The data were obtained from Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity and National Meteorology Agency of Ethiopia. Simulation of SWAT was used to identify the most vulnerable sub-basins to the hydrological process. The model was calibrated and validated using the stream flow data. The simulated stream flow was calibrated by the SWAT-CUP2012 calibration sub-model of SWAT-CUP SUFI2. Sensitivity analysis showed that curve numbers (CN2), ALPHA-BNK and CH-K2 are the most sensitive top three parameters. The R2 and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values were used to examine the model performance. The results indicate 0.84 and 0.80 for R2 and 0.65 and 0.54 for NSE during calibration and validation, respectively. The average annual surface runoff in the delineated catchment was 774.13 mm. Changes in precipitation explained 89% of the variation in surface runoff, as more than 89% of precipitation from the catchment converted to surface runoff. The most three annual surface runoffs contributing were the 11, 23 and 5 sub-basins. INFLUÊNCIA DO TIPO DE SOLO NO FLUXO DE CÓRREGOS PARA A BACIA SUPERIOR DO RIO DIDESSA, SUDOESTE DA ETIÓPIA UTILIZANDO O MODELO SWATResumoEste estudo teve como objetivo modelar o fluxo de córregos e identificar as sub-bacias responsáveis pelo alto fluxo na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Didessa, sudoeste da Etiópia, considerando os tipos de solos regionais. O modelo SWAT (Solo and Water Assessment Tool) foi utilizado para simular o fluxo da corrente e quantificar o escoamento superficial. Os dados de entrada utilizados foram o Modelo Digital de Elevação (DEM), mapa de uso / cobertura do solo, mapa do solo e dados metrológicos. Os dados foram obtidos no Ministério da Água, Irrigação e Eletricidade e Agência Nacional de Meteorologia da Etiópia. A simulação do SWAT foi utilizada para identificar as sub-bacias mais vulneráveis ao processo hidrológico. O modelo foi calibrado e validado usando os dados de fluxo dos córregos. O fluxo de corrente simulado foi calibrado pelo submodelo de calibração SWAT-CUP2012, do SWAT-CUP SUFI2. A análise de sensibilidade mostrou que os números da curva (CN2), ALPHA-BNK e CH-K2 são os três principais parâmetros mais sensíveis. Os valores de R2 e Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) foram usados para examinar o desempenho do modelo. Os resultados indicam 0,84 e 0,80 para R2 e 0,65 e 0,54 para NSE durante a calibração e validação, respectivamente. O escoamento superficial médio anual na bacia hidrográfica foi de 774,13 mm. Mudanças na precipitação explicaram 89% da variação no escoamento superficial, pois mais de 89% da precipitação da bacia foi convertida em escoamento superficial. As sub-bacias 11, 23 e 5 foram as que mais contribuíram para os fluxos superficiais anuais da Bacia do Rio Didessa. Palavras-chave: Tipo de solo. Análise sensitiva. Fluxo de córregos. Swat-Cup. Bacia Superior do Rio.

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Application of the SWAT model to the Xiangjiang river watershed in subtropical central China

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2013.100 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 67 (9) ◽

pp. 2110-2116 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Qiao Luo ◽

Yong Li ◽

Kelin Wang ◽

Jinshui Wu

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Land Use Planning ◽

Stream Flow ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Model Performance ◽

Central China ◽

Xiangjiang River ◽

Stream Flows ◽

River Watershed

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied to simulate the water balance in the Xiangjiang river watershed for current and planning scenarios of land uses. The model was first calibrated for the period from 1998 to 2002 and then validated for the period from 2003 to 2007 using the observed stream flow data from four monitoring gages within the watershed. The determination coefficient of linear regression of the observed and simulated monthly stream flows (R2) and their Nash–Sutcliffe Index (NSI) was used to evaluate model performance. All values of R2 and NSI were above 0.8 and ranged from 0.82 to 0.92, which indicates that the SWAT model was capable of simulating the stream flow in the Xiangjiang river watershed. The calibrated and validated SWAT model was then applied to study the hydrological response of three land use change scenarios. Runoff was reduced by increasing the areas of forest and grassland while simultaneously decreasing the areas of agricultural and urban land. In the recent and future land use planning for the Xiangjiang river watershed, the hydrological effect should be considered in regional water management and erosion control.

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Application of Different Modelling Methods to Arbitrate Various Hydrological Attributes Using CMORPH and TRMM Satellite Data in Upper Omo-Gibe Basin of Ethiopia

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2021/4143958 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Abera Ermias Koshuma ◽

Yegelilaw Eyesus Debebe ◽

Defaru Katise Dasho ◽

Tarun Kumar Lohani

Keyword(s):

Uncertainty Analysis ◽

Stream Flow ◽

Management Practices ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Input Parameter ◽

Great Influence ◽

Model Performance ◽

Calibration And Validation ◽

Satellite Rainfall

Rainfall is a basic input parameter for hydrological modelling that exerts a great influence on the dependability of hydrological simulations. Limited availability of accurate and reliable precipitation data in Abelti watershed of Omo Gibe basin of Ethiopia coerces to use satellite rainfall data to design watershed management practices. The primary objective of this research is to find a better output by comparing and evaluating Climate Prediction Centre Morphing techniques (CMORPH) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Satellite precipitation products (SPPs) and inputs were incorporated to simulate stream flow. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, calibration, and validation of the model were conducted using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), Calibration and Uncertainty Program 2012 (SWAT-CUP-2012), particularly the Sequential/Uncertainty Fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm for all rainfall inputs independently. The calibration and validation period was taken as 2003–2010 and 2011–2018, respectively. On the basis of the modelling results of SWAT and uncertainty analysis, TRRM relatively performed well than that of CMORPH. The result illustrated that the SWAT model thoroughly predicted the catchment runoff simulation for all SPPs. However, TRMM-based simulations capture the shape of the observed stream flow hydrograph, and there was slight under and overestimation of the stream flow volume simulated SPPs followed by the reduction of model performance statistics. Bias-corrected satellite rainfall-based simulations significantly improved the model performance as well as the volume of stream flow simulated. The detail study exhibited that the in situ-based simulation outperformed satellite products in terms of the objective functions in the study area.

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Analysis of Hydrological Characteristics of Blue Nile Basin, Nashe Watershed

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app112411791 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (24) ◽

pp. 11791

Author(s):

Megersa Kebede Leta ◽

Tamene Adugna Demissie ◽

Muhammad Waseem

Keyword(s):

Water Balance ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Stream Flow ◽

Hydrological Modeling ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Model Performance ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Water Yield ◽

Budget Analysis

Hydrological modeling is a technique for understanding hydrologic characteristics and estimation of the water balance of watersheds for integrated water resources development and management. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used for modeling the hydrological behavior of the Nashe watershed in the north-western part of Ethiopia. The spatial data, daily climate, and stream flow were the required input data for the model. The observed monthly stream flow data at the outlet and selected sub-watersheds in the catchment were used to calibrate and validate the model. The model performance was assessed between the simulated and observed streamflow by using sequential uncertainty fitting-2 (SUFI-2), generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation, parameter solution (Parasol) and particle swarm optimization. The sensitivity of 18 parameters was tested, and the most sensitive parameters were identified. The model performance was evaluated using p and r- factor, coefficient of determination, Nash Sutcliffe coefficient efficiency, percent bias during uncertainty analysis, calibration and validation. Therefore, based on the set of proposed evaluation criteria, the SUFI-2 algorithm has been able to provide slightly more reasonable outcomes and Parasol is the worst compared to the other algorithms. An analysis of monthly and seasonal water balance has been also accomplished for the Nashe catchment. The water balance parameters were distinct for the three seasonal periods in the catchment. The seasonal water budget analysis reveals that the watershed receives around 19%, 69%, and 12% of rainfall through the short rain, long rain and dry seasons, respectively. The received precipitation was lost due to evapotranspiration by 29%, 34% and 37% for each season respectively. The surface runoff contributes to the catchment by 5%, 86% and 9% of the water yield.

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A Review on SWAT Model for Stream Flow Simulation

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.726-731.3792 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 726-731 ◽

pp. 3792-3798

Author(s):

Wen Ju Zhao ◽

Wei Sun ◽

Zong Li Li ◽

Yan Wei Fan ◽

Jian Shu Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Data ◽

Stream Flow ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Swat Model ◽

Flow Simulation ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Distributed Hydrological Model ◽

Rs And Gis ◽

Model Research ◽

Gis And Rs

SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model is one of distributed hydrological model, based on spatial data offered by GIS and RS. This article mainly introduces the SWAT model principle, structure, and it is the application of stream flow simulation in China and other countries, then points out the deficiency existing in the process of model research. In order to service in water resources management work better, experts and scholars further research the rate constant and uncertainty of the simplification of the model parameters, and the combination of RS and GIS to use, and hydrological scale problems.

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Flow simulation model performance assessment using entropy approach

Water Resources of Arid Areas ◽

10.1201/9780203023402.ch3 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 23-27

Author(s):

D Stephenson ◽

A Ilunga

Keyword(s):

Simulation Model ◽

Performance Assessment ◽

Model Performance ◽

Flow Simulation

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Inconsistent strategies to spin up models in CMIP5: implications for ocean biogeochemical model performance assessment

Geoscientific Model Development ◽

10.5194/gmd-9-1827-2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1827-1851 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Roland Séférian ◽

Marion Gehlen ◽

Laurent Bopp ◽

Laure Resplandy ◽

James C. Orr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Assessment ◽

Initial Conditions ◽

Model Performance ◽

Cmip5 Models ◽

Biogeochemical Model ◽

Earth System ◽

Model Intercomparison ◽

System Models ◽

Marine Biogeochemistry ◽

Earth System Models

Abstract. During the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) substantial efforts were made to systematically assess the skill of Earth system models. One goal was to check how realistically representative marine biogeochemical tracer distributions could be reproduced by models. In routine assessments model historical hindcasts were compared with available modern biogeochemical observations. However, these assessments considered neither how close modeled biogeochemical reservoirs were to equilibrium nor the sensitivity of model performance to initial conditions or to the spin-up protocols. Here, we explore how the large diversity in spin-up protocols used for marine biogeochemistry in CMIP5 Earth system models (ESMs) contributes to model-to-model differences in the simulated fields. We take advantage of a 500-year spin-up simulation of IPSL-CM5A-LR to quantify the influence of the spin-up protocol on model ability to reproduce relevant data fields. Amplification of biases in selected biogeochemical fields (O2, NO3, Alk-DIC) is assessed as a function of spin-up duration. We demonstrate that a relationship between spin-up duration and assessment metrics emerges from our model results and holds when confronted with a larger ensemble of CMIP5 models. This shows that drift has implications for performance assessment in addition to possibly aliasing estimates of climate change impact. Our study suggests that differences in spin-up protocols could explain a substantial part of model disparities, constituting a source of model-to-model uncertainty. This requires more attention in future model intercomparison exercises in order to provide quantitatively more correct ESM results on marine biogeochemistry and carbon cycle feedbacks.

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