| Title: | Simulation of streamflow and sediment with the SWAT model in a data scarce catchment in the Three Gorges Region, China |
| Authors: | Bieger, K., G. Hormann and N. Fohrer |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Journal: | Journal of Environmental Quality |
| Volume (Issue): | 43(1) |
| Pages: | 37-45 |
| Article ID: | |
| DOI: | 10.2134/jeq2011.0383 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic and pollutant |
| Primary Application Category: | sediment loss and transport |
| Secondary Application Category: | hydrologic assessment |
| Watershed Description: | 3,200 km^2 Xiangi River in Hubei Province in central China |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | This article is part of a JEQ special SWAT section. |
| Abstract: | The Three Gorges Region in China is currently subject to a large-scale land use change,
which was induced by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. The
relocation of towns, villages, and agricultural areas is expected to impact the water balance and
increase erosion rates and sediment yields in the affected catchments. Hydrologic and water
quality models are frequently used to assess the impact of land use changes on water resources.
In this study, the eco-hydrological model SWAT is applied to the Xiangxi Catchment in the
Three Gorges Region. This paper presents the calibration and validation of streamflow and
sediment loads at Xingshan gauging station. The calibration of daily streamflow resulted in a
satisfactory fit of simulated and observed data, which is indicated by NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe
efficiency) values of 0.69 and 0.67 for the calibration (1981-1986) and validation (1988-1993)
periods, respectively. In contrast, the model was not able to simulate the monthly average
sediment loads correctly as indicated by very low NSE values of 0.47 (calibration) and 0.08
(validation). This might be due to a number of reasons including an inadequate representation of
spatial rainfall variability by the available climate stations, insufficient input data, uncertainties
in the model structure, or uncertainties in the observed sediment loads. The discussion of these
possible reasons for the incorrect prediction of sediment loads by SWAT reveals the need for
further research in the field of hydrological and water quality modeling in China. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | |