Modeling hydrological processes in hillslope watershed of humid tropics

Hydrological studies were conducted in a lateritic hillslope watershed of K erala, a humid tropical region in India. The watershed characteristics, soi l moisture properties, and hydrological processes were evaluated. The promi nent mechanisms of runoff generation were identified as saturated through f low and saturated source areas. A 2D lateral saturated flow model linked wi th a vertical column model was developed to simulate these hydrological pro cesses. The model with calibrated effective values of hydraulic conductivit y and specific yield was found to be capable of predicting the hillslope hy drological processes.