Distributed watershed model compatible with remote sensing and GIS data. I: Description of model

A hydrological model compatible with remote sensing and GIS has been developed over the past years. Run on microcomputers with a user-friendly interface, the HYDROTEL model can be applied to a wide range of watersheds with due account for available data, as a choice of options is offered for the simulation of the various processes. Algorithms derived as much as possible from physical processes, together with more conceptual or empirical algorithms have been selected. Also, natural units have been chosen for the simulations: small subwatersheds for the vertical water budget and flow toward the outlet of the unit and river reaches for channel flow. In this paper, the preparation of the watershed database from remotely sensed and geographic information system (GIS) data is discussed first. It is followed by a description of the various components of the model.