Modelling Canadian prairie wetland hydrology using a semi-distributed streamflow model

• Published in: Hydrological processes 2000-10, Vol.14 (14), p.2405-2422
• Main Authors: Su, M., Stolte, W. J, van der Kamp, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; Balancing; Calibration; Canada, Saskatchewan; Coefficients; Computer simulation; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Frozen soils; Grasslands; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Hydroxyapatite; Infiltration; land use; Mathematical models; modelling; Modification; Precipitation; River basins; Runoff; Storage; Variations; Water; wetland hydrology; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0885-6087; 1099-1085
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-1085(20001015)14:14<2405::AID-HYP92>3.0.CO;2-B

A hydrological model (SLURP) that was designed for simulating hydrological processes taking place in large river basins was, with minimal modification, used successfully to simulate water level variations over a 28‐year period (1969–1996) for a 3‐ha prairie wetland in Saskatchewan. The model calculates a water balance based on precipitation, snowmelt, evaporation, surface runoff and subsurface flow on a daily time‐step. The model was first calibrated for two periods (1969–1973 for cropland and 1987–1990 for grassland), then it was applied to records outside the calibration periods. The model reproduced the wetland water level variations during a 28‐year period with good accuracy. The wetland water levels were most sensitive to the infiltration coefficient of surface soil under frozen conditions and to maximum soil moisture storage. The applicability of the model and the calibrated parameters to a smaller wetland, with an area of 0·24 ha, was examined. This simulation indicated that scale effects are important, probably largely in relation to snow redistribution by wind. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.