HILLSLOPE PARAMETER-ESTIMATION USING THE INVERSE PROCEDURE

The parameter identification process referred to as the 'inverse' method has been applied at the hillslope scale, to quantify the hydrologic characteristics of two catchments in Western Australia. The physically based numerical model HILLS was used. Despite the limitations imposed by using a model which of necessity contains several simplifying assumptions, in contrast to the high level of complexity within the soil profile, an encouraging level of representation is achieved. It has also been shown that water-level data from shallow wells provide a promising method for determination of the average or 'effective' values of vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivity, soil porosity and rates of evaporation. The model has also provided an estimate of the various sources of stormflow - surface, subsurface, ground water - that occurs during and after a rainstorm. © 1990.