A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF A SWEDISH AND A CHINESE HYDROLOGICAL MODEL

There are a large number of conceptual hydrological models available t oday. It is not easy to immediately identify the similarities and diff erences between the different models. The Swedish HBV model and the Ch inese Xinanjiang model are two examples of conceptual, semi-distribute d, rainfall-runoff models. The Xinanjiang model was designed for use i n humid and semi-humid regions, with no routine for the snowmelt runof f, whereas the snow routine is an important part of the HBV model in m any applications. The model structures of the two models may be descri bed in four routines, compared in this paper. The integral structures of them are similar, but there are some differences, especially in the runoff production routine. The physical significance and physical def initions of some model parameters were analyzed. Both models were test ed in two basins. Both models gave similar results, and both models pe rformed well in the application. The similarity of the results obtaine d by different model structures leads to the following two conclusions . First, more effort should probably be spent on the improvement of in put data quality and coverage than on the development of more detailed model structures only. Second, inference about basin behavior and cha racteristics from the values of calibrated model parameters must be ma de with great caution.