| Title: | Multi-variable and multi-site calibration and validation of SWAT in a large mountainous catchment with high spatial variability |
| Authors: | Cao, W., W.B. Bowden, T. Davie and A. Fenemor |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Journal: | Hydrological Processes |
| Volume (Issue): | 20(5) |
| Pages: | 1057-1073 |
| Article ID: | |
| DOI: | 10.1002/hyp.5933 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic only |
| Primary Application Category: | multi-site calibration or testing approach |
| Secondary Application Category: | hydrologic assessment |
| Watershed Description: | 2075 km^2 Motueka River (South Island of New Zealand); cal./val/ performed for 7 subwatersheds ranging in size from 81.6 to 1765.6 km^2 |
| Calibration Summary: | Daily (1990-94): primary calibration at Woodstock (1756.6 km^2): E/r2 = .78/.82 ----------------------------other six subwatersheds: E = .36 - .60 r2 = .52 - .62 |
| Validation Summary: | Daily (1995 - 2000): primary validation at Woodstock (1756.6 km^2): E/r2 = .72/.75 ----------------------------other six subwatersheds: E = .35 - .57 r2 = .41 - .61 |
| General Comments: | A multi-site and multi-variable calibration/validation study was performed with SWAT, using PET, annual water yield, daily streamflow, baseflow, and soil moisture. Annual precipitation ranges from 950 to 3500 mm in the watershed; prediction of daily precipitation was performed in an attempt to improve rainnfall inputs for portions of the watershed lacking rain gauges (daily temperatures were also estimated based on three stations). Weaker predicted streamflow results for some gauges were attributed primarily to difficulty in accounting accurately for the spatial variability in rainfall. Predicted soil moisture was wetter relative to observed values; 50% of the overprediction was due to overpredicted rainfall while the remaining inaccuracy was attributed to inaccurate soil parameter values. Overall, the multi-site and multi-variable approach improved the calibration and validation of the model. Graphical comparisons of simulated versus measured water yields provided for each subwatershed. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | physically based distributed hydrological models; calibration and validation; soil and water assessment tool; spatial variability |