Using digital terrain analysis modeling techniques for the parameterization of a hydrologic model

• Published in: Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news 2002-01, Vol.17 (2), p.127-136
• Main Authors: Lacroix, M P, Martz, L W, Kite, G W, Garbrecht, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1364-8152

This paper discusses the application of digital terrain analysis modeling techniques to the parameterization of a semi-distributed hydrologic model. Most current techniques for deriving physiographic parameters in watershed analyses, including those using commercial geographic information systems (GIS), are tedious, costly and time consuming. The demands of these techniques result in them usually being limited in practical application to deriving parameters at only one level of detail or for only one set of sub-basins. This paper presents a computerized interface (SLURPAZ) that was developed to combine the output of an established digital terrain analysis model (TOPAZ) with digital land cover data to derive all the necessary physiographic parameters required as input by a widely used semi-distributed hydrological model (SLURP). This interface makes it possible to derive physiographic parameters rapidly and accurately, at several different levels of detail and for varying numbers of sub-basins. This paper describes the methods by which the SLURPAZ interface integrates land cover data with the topographic parameters derived by TOPAZ from a digital elevation model (DEM). It also presents an example application of the interface to an intermediate-sized alpine basin in Yukon, Canada. Hydrological model outputs obtained using the computerized interface are compared with those obtained using manual techniques.