Modeling streamflow in Sot river catchment of Uttar Pradesh, India

Streamflow simulation encounters significant uncertainties due to the intricate and unpredictable nature of the data. It is highly challenging to accurately simulate and predict streamflow time series in catchments using physical-based models. To address this, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) proves to be an effective tool for quantifying streamflow variations based on meteorological inputs. In the present study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (ArcSWAT) was employed to simulate streamflow in Sot river catchment located in the Uttar Pradesh, India. The model’s calibrated and validated were conducted using daily streamflow data from 2009 to 2016. The SWATCUP 2012 calibration uncertainty program was utilized for this purpose. The SWAT-CUP’s algorithm called sequential uncertainty fitting method (SUFI-2) is utilized for the sensitivity analysis, calibration, and validation of the streamflow for daily time steps. The calibration and validation phases of the study yielded promising results, indicating a strong agreement between the observed and simulated streamflow data. This was evident through the correlation coefficient (R) values of 0.73 and 0.84, as well as the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values of 0.49 and 0.63, respectively. These metrics serve as indicators of model performance and highlight the SWAT model’s capability to accurately predict streamflow. The model’s satisfactory performance, as indicated by the high values of correlation coefficient (R) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), reinforces its credibility and suitability for hydrological modeling in the context of this study. The obtained results provide evidence of the SWAT model’s proficiency in capturing the non-linear behavior of hydrological time series data and producing precise predictions of streamflow. These findings highlight the model’s robustness and validate its effectiveness in simulating hydrological processes, reinforcing its value as a tool for decision-making and resource management in similar hydrological studies.