Simulation of the Runoff Resulted from Snowmelt Using of the Remote Sensing Data (Case Study: Dehgolan Basin)

Given the lack of information about the amount of snow in the highland area, the use of satellite imagery can be helpful in distributing of snow cover and resulted stream flow in water basins. The aim of this study is to investigate surface runoff at the Dehgalan basin outlet associate with changes in snow cover in the highlands of the basin. To this purpose the Values of runoff resulted from snowmeltin Dehgalan basin were simulated using snowmelt runoff model. In order to simulate, first climatic and hydrometric data were collected from Iran meteorological organization and Kurdestan Regional Water Co and then physical characteristics of basin include perimeter, area, and high zones were calculated using digital information. Climatic and hydrometric information were obtained from linked organizations. The ratio of basin snow cover was prepared by the SNOWMAP algorithm using 8-day snow cover products at the global scale bands of MODIS snow cover data from NASA site. The information that was essential for modeling were entered to model and simulating process was done according to the requirements of the particular specification of catchment. The assessment parameters that were used by model to evaluating the accuracy of the simulation included the coefficient of determination and volume differencing. The procedure of simulation of runoff resulting from snowmelt was conducted by calculateion necessary factors and parameters in the time period of December 2004 to April 2005. The results of simulation showed that snowmelt-runoff model was efficiently capable to simulating runoff from snowmelt in Dehgolan basin by 52% coefficient determination and volume difference of 2.23. The obtained correlation coefficient and difference of volume shows the mean accuracy of model in simulation of snowmelt- runoff in the basin. It could be caused by the physical characteristics of the basin. The results of this study showed that the operation of SRM model in study area as a coupled of mountainous and plain basin was less than mere mountainous basins.