Hydrologic models

Hydrologic models are simplified, conceptual representations of a part of the hydrologic

cycle. They are primarily used for hydrologic prediction and for understanding hydrologic
processes. Two major types of hydrologic models can be distinguished:

Stochastic Models. These models are black box systems, based on data and using
mathematical and statistical concepts to link a certain input (for instance rainfall) to the
model output (for instance runoff). Commonly used techniques areregression, transfer
functions, neural networks and system identification. These models are known as
stochastic hydrology models.

Process-Based Models. These models try to represent the physical processes

observed in the real world. Typically, such models contain representations of surface
runoff, subsurface flow, evapotranspiration, and channel flow, but they can be far more
complicated. These models are known as deterministic hydrology models. Deterministic
hydrology models can be subdivided into single-event models and continuous simulation
models.

Hydrologic cycle

Recent research in hydrologic modelling tries to have a more global approach to the
understanding of the behaviour of hydrologic systemsto make better predictions and to face
the major challenges in water resources management

Runoff model (empirical)[edit]

Main article: Runoff model (empirical)

These models use an empirical method to convert rainfall volume into runoff volume. An
example is the Curve Number method.[2]
The runoff curve number (also called a curve number or simply CN) is an empirical
parameter used in hydrology for predicting direct runoff or infiltration from rainfall excess. It
can be used with a unit hydrograph to derive the runoff rate from the direct runoff
by convolution.

Runoff model (reservoir)[edit]

Main article: Runoff model (reservoir)
These models describe rainfall-runoff relations using the concept of a (non)linear reservoir.
[3]

Examples include: Vflo.

Hydrological transport model[edit]

Main article: Hydrological transport model
These models describe the flow and routing of water once it has entered a river/stream
system and the transport of dissolved or suspended material and debris in a river/stream.
[4]

Examples include MIKE 11, MOHID, WAFLEX and DSSAM.

Distributed hydrological model[edit]

Distributed hydrological models are grid-cell based and take into account the spatial
variability of meteorological input and other inputs like terrain, soils, vegetation and land use.
In distributed hydrological models runoff generated in a grid cell is transported downstream
through a grid cell to grid cell network using the local drain direction of each grid cell.
Examples of distributed hydrological models are PCR-GLOBWB, DHVSM, HL-RDHM and
the glacio-hydrological SPHY model

Composite models[edit]
Many models combine two of these types, for example HBV, which is combines an empirical
runoff model and a hydrological transport model. Some models combine elements of surface
water models and groundwater models, for example GSSHA,MIKE SHE, and WEAP.

Agricultural hydro-salinity modelling[edit]

Saltmod components

Main article: SaltMod

Agricultural hydro-salinity models like SaltMod,[5] Swatre [6] and Drainmod [7] are models
integrating hydrological factors like irrigation, evapotranspiration and groundwater flow to
simulate the behavior of the water table and soil salinization and to assess agricultural
engineering measures like watertable control and soil salinity control by subsurface
drains,drainage by wells and salt leaching.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrological_modelling