Abstract
Twenty daily time step–based SWAT simulation models for the Duhok, Adhaim and Dokan dam watersheds, in Iraq, were implemented using five land cover (LC) and digital elevation model (DEM) of different resolutions. The optimal LC and DEM for computing the most accurate streamflow for each watershed were specified. Results indicated that delineation of the flat watersheds is significantly affected by the DEM resolution and there was no evident trend on the computation of watersheds’ total areas, boundaries, number of subbasins and stream networks. Moreover, there is no significant trend between the increase in LC and DEM resolutions and accuracy of the computed streamflow. The most accurate streamflows for the Duhok, Adhaim and Dokan watersheds were computed using LC (DEM) of 30 m, 1000 m and 1000 m.
Highlights
Most human activities are related to water resources, the management of which requires accurate calculations
Delineation of the Duhok dam watershed (DUDW), Adhaim dam watershed (ADDW) and Dokan dam watershed (DODW) was obtained by applying the digital elevation model (DEM)-based method (DEMBM) in ArcSWAT
Analysis of the results of the implemented SWAT models for the considered watersheds illustrates that the obtained watershed boundary, stream network configuration and total watershed area through the delineation process are closely related to the DEM resolution and watershed terrain characteristics, especially with regard to the watersheds with flat topography
Summary
Most human activities are related to water resources, the management of which requires accurate calculations. The hydrologic models are useful tools developed to simulate the total or partial hydrologic cycle. Digital image data such as land cover (LC), digital elevation model (DEM) and soil data are utilized to implement hydrologic simulation models. These data are produced with a certain degree of accuracy and temporal and spatial resolution. The SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) is the most useful and commonly used tool for implementing the watershed simulation models. Comprehensive understanding of the implications of utilizing the available satellite data of different spatial resolutions on the behaviour of hydrologic simulation models is important. The accuracy and reliability of the modelling results increase with increasing precision of the input data (Booij 2005; Katrin et al 2011; Casper et al 2011). Wolockm and Price (1994), Romanowicza et al (2005) and Tan et al (2015) indicated that the DEM and LC source, resolutions and the DEMs resampling technique have a significant impact on the results from hydrologic models
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