Simulation of runoff from Atrak River Basin Iran using SWAT model (A case study)

Simulation models have a special role in management of any natural phenomenon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for simulation of runoff and calibration and validation of this model in Atrak watershed located in the northeast of Iran. One of the main roles of this model is to investigate the effects of long periods in a basin. The SWAT model and SUFI-2 algorithms in combination with Geographical Information System (GIS) data set comprising various layers such as land use, soil type, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used. For calibration and validation analyses, we use runoff of 6 hydrometric station data from 1975-1991. The results of this study showed that the SWAT model could simulate runoff in Shirabad station properly. In this simulation, the R-2 value for calibration and validation stages were 56% and 58%, respectively. The final results of this study revealed that longer period of data is required for achieving better results. Availability of long-time data can help the managers to control the flood and drought with proper models, and they can protect the watershed.