Modelling Canadian prairie wetland hydrology using a semi-distributed streamflow model

A hydrological model (SLURP) that was designed for simulating hydrological processes taking place in large river basins was: with minimal modification , used successfully to simulate water level variations over a 28-year perio d (1969-1996) for a 3-ha prairie wetland in Saskatchewan. The model calculates a water balance based on precipitation, snowmelt, evap oration, surface runoff and subsurface flow on a daily time-step. The model was first calibrated for two periods (1969-1973 for cropland and 1987-1990 for grassland), then it was applied to records outside the calibration per iods. The model reproduced the wetland water level variations during a 28-y ear period with good accuracy. The wetland water levels were most sensitive to the infiltration coefficient of surface soil under frozen conditions an d to maximum soil moisture storage. The applicability of the model and the calibrated parameters to a smaller wetland, with an area of 0.24 ha, was ex amined. This simulation indicated that scale effects are important, probabl y largely in relation to snow redistribution by wind. Copyright (C) 2000 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.