Hydrological Modeling in the Manas River Basin Using Soil and Water Assessment Tool Driven by Cmads

Original scientific paper Hydrological simulation in meteorological ungauged areas has always been a difficult problem for the study on atmospheric and hydrological coupling; meanwhile, it is also one of the important factors that restrict model development and basin water resource knowledge. To analyze the mechanism of atmospheric and hydrological coupling, this study quantitatively evaluated water cycle situation in basins covered with glaciers and snow, and chose the Manas River Basin (MRB) in China as the typical research area to verify the adaptability of the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model (CMADS). The SWAT model was firstly built to simulate water resources, then we calibrated the model with CMADS dataset and started localization in the Manas River Basin (MRB), China, and finally calibrated simulated runoff with observed data SWAT-CUP (SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Programs). In addition, parameter sensitivity analysis, and parameter calibration and validation were also included in the present study. Results showed that the SWAT model could well reproduce the runoff process of two stations (Kenswat and Hongshanzui) in the research area by using data from CMADS. The simulation performed well on monthly scale in both stations, where R = (0,556÷0,999) and NSE = (0,937÷0,998), and also showed satisfactory effects, where R = (0,927÷0,993) and NSE = (0,836÷0,997).Our research suggests that the SWAT model can show satisfactory results through parameter calibration in areas with high glacial recharge rate. Moreover, CMADS can provide necessary meteorological data for SWAT simulations, and support parameter calibration and historical surface data analysis.