An application of the VIC-3L land surface model and remote sensing data in simulating streamflow for the Hanjiang River basin

The hydrologically based three-layer variable infiltration capacity (VIC-3L) land surface model with a new surface runoff model is applied to simulate streamflow for the Hanjiang River basin in China. The required soil parameters are derived from the soil classification information of global 5 min data provided by the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) Hydrology Office, the vegetation parameters are derived based on advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) and land data assimilation system (LDAS) information, and the forcing data are obtained through interpolation methods based on 740 meteorological stations. All of the data (i.e., soil, vegetation, and forcings) required by the VIC-3L model are compiled at 25 km x.25 km resolution for the Hanjiang River basin, and the daily forcing data are available for the period of 1980-1990. The VIC-3L model is applied to the Hanjiang River basin, and the VIC-3L simulated daily runoff is routed to the outlets of six streamflow stations and compared with the daily and monthly observed streamflow at the stations. The results show that the model can simulate the observations well.