In the Snowmelt-Runoff Model (SRM), the estimate of discharge volume is based on temperature condition in the form of degree days which are used to melt the snowpack in the area of the basin covered by snow as observed from satellites. Precipitation input is used to add any rainfall runoff to the snowmelt component. When SRM was applied to the large, international Kabul River basin, initial simulations were much above the observed stream flow values. Close inspection revealed several problems in the application of SRM to the Kabul Basin that were easily corrected. Foremost among the corrections were determination of an appropriate lapse rate, substitution of a more representative mean elevation for extrapolation of temperature data, and use of an automatic streamflow updating procedure. These improvements led to a simulation for 1976 that was comparable to other simulations on large, inaccessible basins. As SRM is applied to more basins similar to the Kabul River, the determination of suitable parameters for new basin will be enhanced. Additional improvements in simulations would result from installation of climate stations at the mean elevation of basins and work to assure delivery of timely and reliable satellite snow cover data.
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Research Article|
June 01 1989
A Test of Snowmelt-Runoff Model for a Major River Basin in Western Himalayas
B. Dey;
B. Dey
Dept. of Geology and Geography, Howard University, Washington, D.C.20059, U.S.A.
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V. K. Sharma;
V. K. Sharma
Dept. of Geology and Geography, Howard University, Washington, D.C.20059, U.S.A.
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A. Rango
A. Rango
Hydrology Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Beltsville, MD 20705, U.S.A.
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Hydrology Research (1989) 20 (3): 167–178.
Article history
Received:
June 05 1989
Citation
B. Dey, V. K. Sharma, A. Rango; A Test of Snowmelt-Runoff Model for a Major River Basin in Western Himalayas. Hydrology Research 1 June 1989; 20 (3): 167–178. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.1989.0013
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