Hydrologic modeling of a Himalayan mountain basin by using the SWAT mode

Abstract. A large population depends on runoff from Himalayan rivers which have high hydropower potential; floods in these rivers are also frequent. Current understanding of hydrologic response mechanism of these rivers and impact of climate change is inadequate due to limited studies. This paper presents results of modeling to understand the hydrologic response and compute the water balance components of a Himalayan river basin in India viz. Ganga up to Devprayag. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied for simulation of the snow/rainfed catchment. SWAT was calibrated with daily streamflow data for 1992–98 and validated with data for 1999–2005. Manual calibration was carried out to determine model parameters and quantify uncertainty. Results indicate good simulation of streamflow; main contribution to water yield is from lateral and ground water flow. Water yield and ET for the catchments varies between 43–46 % and 57–58 % of precipitation, respectively. The contribution of snowmelt to lateral runoff for Ganga River ranged between 13–20 %. More attention is needed to strengthen spatial and temporal hydrometeorological database for the study basins for improved modeling.