Application of MODIS-Based Monthly Evapotranspiration Rates in Runoff Modeling: A Case Study in Nebraska, USA

Daily and monthly flow-rates of the Little Nemaha River in Nebraska were simulated by the lumped-parameter Jakeman-Hornberger as well as a distributed-parameter water-balance accounting procedure for the 2003-2008 and 20002009 periods, respectively, with and without the help of the MODIS-based monthly estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) rates. While the daily lumped-parameter model simulation accuracy remained practically unchanged with the inclusion of the monthly MODIS-based ET rates interpolated into daily values (R of 0.66 vs 0.68, simulated to measured runoff ratio remaining the same 96%), the monthly water-balance accounting model outcomes did improve to some extent (from an R of 0.67 to 0.7 with simulated to measured runoff ratio of 72% vs 115%). In both cases the models had to be slightly modified for accommodation of the ET rates as predefined input values, not present in the original model setups. These results indicate the potential practical usefulness of satellite-derived ET estimates (CREMAP values in the present case) in monthly water-balance modeling. CREMAP is a calibration-free ET estimation method based on MODIS-derived daytime surface temperature values in combination of basic climatic variables, such as air temperature, humidity and solar radiation within a Complementary Relationship framework of evaporation.