Version 1
: Received: 18 January 2019 / Approved: 20 January 2019 / Online: 20 January 2019 (09:38:28 CET)
How to cite:
Nazari-Sharabian, M.; Karakouzian, M.; Ahmad, S. Effect of DEM Resolution on Runoff Yield, and Sensitivity of Parameters Contributing to Runoff in a Watershed. Preprints2019, 2019010192. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201901.0192.v1
Nazari-Sharabian, M.; Karakouzian, M.; Ahmad, S. Effect of DEM Resolution on Runoff Yield, and Sensitivity of Parameters Contributing to Runoff in a Watershed. Preprints 2019, 2019010192. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201901.0192.v1
Nazari-Sharabian, M.; Karakouzian, M.; Ahmad, S. Effect of DEM Resolution on Runoff Yield, and Sensitivity of Parameters Contributing to Runoff in a Watershed. Preprints2019, 2019010192. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201901.0192.v1
APA Style
Nazari-Sharabian, M., Karakouzian, M., & Ahmad, S. (2019). Effect of DEM Resolution on Runoff Yield, and Sensitivity of Parameters Contributing to Runoff in a Watershed. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201901.0192.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Nazari-Sharabian, M., Moses Karakouzian and Sajjad Ahmad. 2019 "Effect of DEM Resolution on Runoff Yield, and Sensitivity of Parameters Contributing to Runoff in a Watershed" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201901.0192.v1
Abstract
Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are essential in watershed delineation, but the sensitivity of simulated runoff to DEM resolution is poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of DEM resolution on topological attributes and simulated runoff in the Mahabad Dam watershed, Iran. To delineate the watershed, DEMs with 12.5 m, 30 m, and 90 m resolutions were acquired from the ALOS PALSAR, Space Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and ASTER global DEM data source, respectively. Watershed and streamlines were delineated in ArcGIS, with hydrologic analyses performed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Sensitivity analysis on parameters contributing to runoff was done using Sequential Uncertainties Fitting Ver-2 (SUFI-2) Algorithm, in SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Procedures (SWAT-CUP) software. Results showed the watershed area, reach lengths, and elevations in the watershed varied due to DEM resolutions. Higher amounts of runoff were generated when DEMs with finer resolutions were implemented. The 12.5 m DEM generated 3.48% and 0.42% more runoff compared with 90 m and 30 m DEMs, respectively. SWAT-CUP results showed the sensitivity of parameters contributing to runoff changes under different DEM resolutions. Regardless of DEM resolution, surface properties, available water capacity, and moisture levels in the soil are the most sensitive parameters. As the distribution of slope changes in different DEM resolutions, surface parameters are most affected. The findings indicate to reduce computation time and speed up computation procedures, researchers may use DEMs with coarser resolutions at the expense of minor decreases in accuracy.
Keywords
DEM resolution; runoff; sensitivity analysis; SWAT; SWAT-CUP; SUFI-2
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
