SWAT Literature Database for Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Title:Regionalization of SWAT model parameters for use in ungauged watersheds 
Authors:Gitau, M.W. and I. Chaubey 
Year:2010 
Journal:Water 
Volume (Issue):2(4) 
Pages:849-871 
Article ID: 
DOI:10.3390/w2040849 
URL (non-DOI journals): 
Model:SWAT 
Broad Application Category:hydrologic only 
Primary Application Category:regionalization of input parameters 
Secondary Application Category:calibration, sensitivity, and/or uncertainty analysis 
Watershed Description:Seven watersheds ranging in size from 1,883 km^2 to 6,616 km^2 in Arkansas, U.S. 
Calibration Summary: 
Validation Summary: 
General Comments: 
Abstract:There has been a steady shift towards modeling and model-based approaches as primary methods of assessing watershed response to hydrologic inputs and land management, and of quantifying watershed-wide best management practice (BMP) effectiveness. Watershed models often require some degree of calibration and validation to achieve adequate watershed and therefore BMP representation. This is, however, only possible for gauged watersheds. There are many watersheds for which there are very little or no monitoring data available, thus the question as to whether it would be possible to extend and/or generalize model parameters obtained through calibration of gauged watersheds to ungauged watersheds within the same region. This study explored the possibility of developing regionalized model parameter sets for use in ungauged watersheds. The study evaluated two regionalization methods: global averaging, and regression-based parameters, on the SWAT model using data from priority watersheds in Arkansas. Resulting parameters were tested and model performance determined on three gauged watersheds. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies (NS) for stream flow obtained using regression-based parameters (0.53–0.83) compared well with corresponding values obtained through model calibration (0.45–0.90). Model performance obtained using global averaged parameter values was also generally acceptable (0.4 ≤ NS ≤ 0.75). Results from this study indicate that regionalized parameter sets for the SWAT model can be obtained and used for making satisfactory hydrologic response predictions in ungauged watersheds. 
Language:English 
Keywords:modeling; ungauged watersheds; SWAT; hydrologic calibration