SCS-CN-based continuous simulation model for hydrologic forecasting

Abstract

A new lumped conceptual model based on the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) concept has been proposed in this paper for long-term hydrologic simulation and it has been tested using the data of five catchments from different climatic and geographic settings of India. When compared with the Mishra et al. (2005) model based on variable source area (VSA) concept, the proposed model performed better in all applications. Both the models however exhibited a better match between the simulated and observed runoff in high runoff producing watersheds than did in low runoff producing catchments. Using the results of the proposed model, dominant/dormant processes involved in watershed's runoff generating mechanism have also been identified. The presented model is found useful in the continuous simulation of rainfall-runoff process in watersheds.