HYDROLOGICAL MODELING OF HARO RIVER WATERSHED, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Geographical Information System based semi distributed model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used to model the hydrology of Haro river watershed 40 kilometer North West Islamabad, Pakistan. Thus, it aims to simulate the stream flow, establish the water balance and estimate the monthly volume inflow to Khanpur dam located at the basin outlet. SWAT model was calibrated for a ten years period from 1994 to 2003 and validated for a seven years period from 2004 to 2010. Statistical indicators; Pearson Correlation, Coefficient of Determination and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency were used to verify the simulation abilities of the model. Results illustrate a good performance for both calibration and validation periods and acceptable agreement between measured and simulated values of both annual and monthly discharge. The water balance components were estimated and presented here for the studied watershed. Finally, it is concluded that SWAT model can be used in semi-arid regions for the water resources management of the studied watershed.