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Distributed Hydrologic Modeling

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Encyclopedia of GIS

Synonyms

Spatial hydrologic modeling; GIS-based hydrology; Hydrogeology; Hydrology

Definition

Distributed hydrologic modeling within a GIS framework is the use of parameter maps derived from geospatial data to simulate hydrologic processes. Distributed models of hydrologic processes rely on representing characteristics of the earth's surface that affect components of the water balance. Capturing the natural and human induced variability of the land surface at sufficient spatial resolution is a primary objective of distributed hydrologic modeling. Geospatial data is used to represent the spatial variation of watershed surfaces and subsurface properties that control hydrologic processes. Geospatial data is used in hydrologic modeling to characterize terrain, soils, land use/cover, precipitation, and meteorological parameters. The use of Geographic Information System s is now commonplace in hydrologic studies. General purpose GIS software tools can be used...

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Recommended Reading

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

    Baxter E. Vieux

Authors
  1. Baxter E. Vieux
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Shashi Shekhar (McKnight Distinguished University Professor) (McKnight Distinguished University Professor)

  2. Management Science and Information Systems Department, Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Hui Xiong (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag

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Vieux, B. (2008). Distributed Hydrologic Modeling. In: Shekhar, S., Xiong, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of GIS. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35973-1_317

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