Simulation of hydrology and erosion in a Texas watershed using SWAT

This paper describes the application of a river basin scale hydrologic model, Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to Richland and Chambers Creeks watershed (RC watershed) in upper Trinity River basin in Texas. The inputs to the model were accumulated from hydrographic and geographic databases and maps using a raster-based GIS. The streamflow was calibrated and validated using the observed data available from two USGS streamgauge stations. Sediment calibration and validation were carried out using the sediment survey data from the Richland-Chambers Lake and a flood prevention structure within a sub-basin of RC watershed (Mill Creek watershed). The model performance was evaluated using well established statistical and visual methods and was found to explain at least 84% and 65% of the variability in the observed streamflow data for the calibration and validation periods, respectively. In addition, the model predicted the accumulated sediment load within 2% and 9% from the observed data for the RC watershed and Mill Creek watershed, respectively.

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