Calibration of rainfall-runoff models based on satellite observations of river width at the basin outlet

摘要

In this study, river cross-sectional geometry was extracted from a high resolution Digital Surface Model (DSM). Then the derived information was combined with the Manning equation to describe the relation between discharge and cross-sectional water surface width. By integrating a rainfall-runoff model with this relation, which is used to describe the hydraulic relation at the basin outlet, it is possible to calibrate the rainfall-runoff model using satellite observations of river width. The method is demonstrated through a case study in the Mekong Basin. The results show that it could be an effective approach for discharge estimation in large ungauged basins.