A Survey of Major Watershed (Rainfall-

Runoff) Models
Knowing what is out there in
the Workplace
Capabilities of each model
Requirements of each model
What is the best model?
Examples
Ungaged area needing
WRE management
(expansion)
Balancing $$, needs and
requirements (Consulting)
Flood-frequency analyses,
forecasting, extrapolating
for future scenarios

Consider this Scenario:
1. A major expansion of
urbanization is planned in
forested land malls,
apts, parks, industry

2. How will the planned
urbanization change the
response of the land to
rainfall? Increase chances
of floods? Flashier? Bring
down GWT?
What kind of Water Resources
Management Strategy/Measures
would be needed to ensure long-
term water needs?
Watershed Models are used to
answer such questions
GOALS
Be aware of the Major Models out there and
their basic workings
Understand Data needs and requirements
Merits/Demerits of Models (situational)
Ponder over: What is the Best Model? (open
question)
Be able to make an informed decision on the choice
of a Model (for Consulting, Industry, Public Works)

The Hydrologic Cycle
All watershed Models (or
Rainfall-Runoff) attempt
to model the Hydrologic
Cycle at the watershed
scale.
Watershed? Natural System with all major components of
cycle
Hydrologic Cycle? (Water Cycle) Water Distribution
Model? Abstraction of reality using Mathematics
The Major Processes of a
Model


Infiltration
Unsaturated Zone flow
Groundwater (saturated
zone flow)
Overland Flow
River Flow
Evapotranspiration
Rainfall is usually the major input in
Hydrologic Models it is not modeled!
Classification of Models
Based on mathematical representation of processes
Conceptual Models
Physically-based Models


Based spatial nature of input/output of models
Lumped Rainfall, Runoff, ET, GW flow
Distributed Rainfall, Runoff, ET, GW flow

Conceptual Vs Physically
Based
Conceptual Models Idealization
of processes as stores,
buckets, parameterizations
simplified equations
representing mass,
momentum, energy.




Physically-based Models
rigorous numerical solution
of partial differential
equations governing flow
through porous media,
overland and channel flows.


Lumped Vs Distributed
Models


Distributed - The spatial and temporal
variation of meteorological, hydrological,
geological and hydrogeological data
across the model area is described in
gridded form for the input as well as the
output from the model
Lumped - The spatial and temporal
variation of meteorological, hydrological,
geological and hydrogeological data
across the model area is described as one
aggregated value for input and output
!All models are lumped at the finest scale!
Data Requirements for Models
Rainfall Data (Major Input)
Soils Data (Infiltration,
Runoff)
DEM channel network
(River routing)
Vegetation Data (For ET)
GWT Data (Saturated zone
flow)
Historical Rainfall-
Streamflow Data
(Calibration)
Evaporation Data (ET)

More Physically-based
means more data
requirement
More Conceptual
requires less data!
Data acquisition is an investment
that needs to be commensurate
with the model
Sources of Data
Rainfall Gage,
Radar (NWS),
Satellite
Soils STATSGO,
USDA
DEM USGS, Topo
maps, Satellites
Vegetation
Satellites, USDA
Streamflow USGS
Reliability
Ready availability
Cost $$$
Resolution (space,
time)
Is all data needed?
Physically-based Insatiable needs but
potential high returns
Conceptual modest needs with modest returns
Calibration needs historical data. What is
Calibration?
What to do in ungaged regions where there is
No Data? Transfer experience. PUB
What affects $$ operational costs
of a Model?
The multiple needs of
the TVA river
reservoir system
Level of data needs Data is expensive
Level of physical complexity (Physically-based
means qualified personnel; Rational Method no-
brainer
Scale of the problem being addressed
larger/heterogenous more $$$

Some Models Out there
HEC-1
PRMS
HSPF (Fortran)
MIKE 11
Make your own survey if you wish
(Consider, DSS Riverware, BASINS)
For a comprehensive guide refer to: VP Singh Computer Models for Watersheds
HEC-1
Developed by Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) of US Army
Corps of Engineers

Flood Hydrograph Package single storm even simulation. Lumped
model

Loss Function approach SCS, Green Ampt, Holtan
Data Needs sub-basin delineation, rainfall, runoff, routing
parameters
Based on Unit Hydrograph or kinematic for runoff routing
Other capabilities Snowfall/melt, dam safety, pumping, diversions
Customer Support? Try HEC, San Diego, CA.


PRMS Precipitation-Runoff
Modeling System
Developed by USGS more of an educational
tool to build your own models
Lumped/sub-basin continuous simulation see
Handout
Data needs (depends) precip, streamflow,
DEM, minmax air temp, radiation,
vegetation..(see handout)
Code in F77
Capabilities - many
Customer Support? Try USGS


HSPF Hydrological Simulation
Program - Fortran
USGS multi-use model
Can do water quality.
Mainly for land-use change, reservoir
operations, flow diversions etc.
Data needs A lot (see Hand-out)
Software In Fortran 77
Capabilities A lot (see hand-out)
Customer Support? Try USGS
Real Example 62,000 sq mi tributary area in
Chesapeake Bay.

MIKE 11
Danish Hydraulic Institute DHI
Very sophisticated physically-based, high-end
model
Data needs a lot (dependent of in-situ
measurements
Softwares commercial (and expensive)
Capabilities Many (see hand-out)
Customer Support? Try DHI or Vendors
Real Example River Jamuna, Bangladesh

MIKE SHE
USGS educational, conceptual/physical
Data needs?
Softwares
Capabilities
Merits/Demerits (can/can not do)
Customer Support?
Real Example -

What is the best Model?
This is situational It All Depends!
Primary objectives
$$ budget
Level of Tolerable Accuracy/precision
Complexity and uniqueness of the problem
Time frame for delivery
Data availability
Its a highly complex question whose answer is sensitive to a
multiplicity of factors
Homework Problem
Given watershed,
Given data
Given $$, deadline
Choose your model (make strong
arguments in favor of your choice over
others)