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 develo ped over the past years. Run on microcomputers with a user-friendly interfa ce, the HYDROTEL model can be applied to a wide range of watersheds with du e account for available data, as a choice of options is offered for the sim ulation of the various processes. Algorithms derived as much as possible fr om physical processes, together with more conceptual or empirical algorithm s have been selected. Also, natural units have been chosen for the simulati ons: 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 p reparation of the watershed database from remotely sensed and geographic in formation system (GIS) data is discussed first. It is followed by a descrip tion of the various components of the model.