Author(s): Manzoor Ahangar; Yasir Altaf; Mohammad Fahimuddin

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Snowmelt runoff modelling; High altitude Basin; Distributed model; MIKESHE

Abstract: A major proportion of discharge in the Lidder River is contributed by snowmelt runoff in its catchment which is situated in the West Himalayan region. It is, therefore, quite essential to estimate the contribution of snowmelt runoff to discharge along with other hydrological components. The MIKE SHE-MIKE-11 integrated coupled model along with the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing snow cover products was selected and used in the Lidder Basin to ascertain the snowmelt contribution to runoff along with baseflow and drainage, as well as the percentage of snow-covered areas in the Basin around the year. The model was calibrated by trying to match simulated discharge against observed stream flow discharge at the Sheeshnag gauging station. Sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying three unknown parameters, viz., degree day coefficient, temperature lapse rate and precipitation lapse rate. The three parameters were unknown in the region. The cumulative volume of the simulated runoff was further validated with the observed runoff which showed an excellent comparison. The snow-covered areas obtained from the output of the model were validated with the data obtained from MODIS data sets. The data showed an excellent comparison. The ET losses at Sheeshnag represented 19.65% of the total rainfall, while the runoff at the Sheeshnag catchment of the Lidder Basin represented 40% of the total rainfall. Snowmelt contribution to the total streamflow in the Lidder River at Sheeshnag was found to be 54.19%. The total error percentage of the model was about 0.11 of the total rainfall, indicating a good interaction among different hydrological components of the model. The results obtained suggest that the MIKESHE-MIKE-11 integrated coupled model can be used efficiently in the sub-catchments of the upper Indus Basin in which snowfall and snowmelt runoff are significant.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15715124.2019.1634082

Year: 2020