Assessing the efficiency of SWAT model for runoff simulation in Gamasiyab basin

Gamasiab River is one of the five main branches of the Karkheh River and plays a basic role in preserving the life and ecosystem of the region. The first step in the adoption of proper and sustainable methods for managing the water resources of the Gamasiyab river is to gain continuous knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative status of the water as well as its variations. The use of hydrological models is common to simulate quantitative and qualitative processes associated with the water cycle. One of the models that is widely used in the international level is the SWAT model. In this research, we evaluated the efficiency of SWAT model in simulation of Gamasiyab river flow. For running this model requires a DEM, soil map, land use map and slope classification. Initially, discharge data in daily step at Polchehr Hydrometric Station was calibration (1977-1995 AD) and then validation (1996-2005 AD) by using precipitation data of two synoptic stations and three weather stations and minimum and maximum temperature of two synoptic stations. Statistical coefficients including Nash-Sutcliff coefficient, R2, P-factor and R-factor for calibration period were 0.71, 0.73, 0.79, 1.36 respectively and for validation period were 0.57, 0.61, 0.71 and 1.34 respectively. These results indicate that the SWAT model has the ability to simulate the Gamasiyab River discharge and researchers can use this model to apply management scenarios in short time and low cost for better decision making.