Calibration of Hydrological Streamflow Modeling Using MODIS

Abstract

LULC (land use and land cover) plays an important role in mathematical hydrological modeling. As many countries, available LULC are not always updated to reflect the most current situation. In this regard, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential capability of moderate resolution satellite imagery such as MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), acquired in 2010 for updated LULC. This issue was illustrated through the application of the most current LULC as one of the data inputs of the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model in the Tonle Sap Lake Basin, a sub-basin of the Mekong River. The streamflow was tested using moderate resolution LULC of 500 meters. The statistical evaluation results at a monitoring station for model calibration and validation showed that the R 2 for daily and monthly values range from 0.76 to 0.88 and 0.86 to 0.89 respectively, whereas the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency daily and monthly values range between 0.75 to 0.85 and 0.76 to 0.87 respectively. The simulation result based on MODIS imagery demonstrates LULC at moderate resolution holds considerable potential as an effective hydrological modeling tool. An additional level of confidence is provided by the notion that the methods described here could be applied in similar watershed conditions.