The simulation of runoff from small catchments in the permafrost zone by the SWAP model

Abstract

The ability of a new version of SWAP physically based model, which describes the heat and water exchange processes in the soil-vegetation (snow cover)-near-surface atmosphere system and has been adapted to the permafrost conditions, to reproduce runoff formation at small watersheds in the permafrost zone. The procedure for the preparation of missing input data for model simulations is described. Model simulations were performed based on observational data collected within a decade (1969–1978) by the Kolyma Water Balance Station, located in a high-land continuous permafrost zone. The results of comparison of the modelled daily and annual runoff with data of appropriate measurements in a number of experimental watersheds in the basin of the Kontaktovyi Creek (Upper Kolyma) are analyzed.