A comparison of a SWAT model for the Cannonsville Watershed with and without Variable Source Area Hydrology

摘要

In this study, two different versions of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)are used to simulate the Cannonsville Watershed. These versions are referred to as SWAT_TSand SWAT_VSA. The SWAT-VSA model distributes overland flow in ways that areconsistent with variable source area hydrology, while the SWAT_TS model does not. Sincemany water quality models, such as SWAT, use some form of the curve number equation topredict storm runoff, these models may fail to accurately describe the effects of variable sourceareas (VSAs), which are mostly important in rural, humid areas, such as upstate New York.These two models are compared by calibrating each for flow, phosphorous and sedimentagainst measured data.