Hydrologic modeling with SWAT+ and Qgis (English version)

Name: Hydrologic modeling with SWAT+ and Qgis (English version)
Rating: 4.3 (13 reviews)

Hydrologic modeling using SWAT model

Created byErnesto Marchant

Last updated 2/2025

English

What you'll learn

Understanding what a hydrologic model is and what it is used for
Delineating a watershed or area of interest using SWAT+ and Qgis
Preparing and understanding the data used in the SWAT model
Estimate the water balance of a watershed with simulated data
Estimate the water balance of a basin with real data.

Course content

3 sections • 12 lectures • 2h 40m total length

Hydrologic modeling4:54
Explanation of the key concepts for making a hydrological model
SWAT Model3:32
Presentation of the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tools) model
Software Download7:15
Download of QGis and SWAT+ Editor
Download Basic Data7:49
Download basic data for modeling in SWAT+ (soil type and land use)

QSWAT+ interface5:54
Presentation of the QSWAT+ graphical interface
Watershed creation in QSWAT+10:57
Creation of a watershed in QSWAT+ using a DEM raster.

Note: The DEM of the class is in the “resources” section of the class.
Creation of Hydrological Response Units (HRUs)9:10
Creation of Hydrologic Response Units (HRU) within QSWAT+.

Note: In the “resources” section are the files for class 7.
Swat+ Editor interface16:12
Presentation and use of the SWAT+ Editor interface in hydrologic modeling.
Results Display29:27
Visualization of the results obtained from the hydrological model using SWAT+ in QGis.

Raster and tables of soil properties37:34
Explanation and use of the observed data (soil properties) to work on hydrological modeling.

Note: In the “resources” section of the class you will find the files used in the development of the lesson.
Weather data in SWAT+ editor24:47
Use of meteorological data (precipitation and temperature) in the hydrological model.

Note: In the “resources” section of the lesson you will find the material used in the class.
Comparison and end of course2:52
Comparison of the model with observed and simulated data.

Note: A practical exercise is included for you to make the comparison. To see the results of the comparison go to the “resources” section of the lesson. Additional material is also included.
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Homework:

For this class exercise use:

The same watershed from section three.

The land use and land type from section two, i.e., those downloaded from the SWAT page.

Slope values 10 and 45

Simulated weather stations, as we did in section two.

To compare the hydrological simulation with simulated and observed data you can:

Compare water balance parameters (precipitation, percolation, etc.) for maps with observed data (from the example in section 3).

Make graphs of hydrologic model water balances with simulated vs. observed data.

I attach a pdf with graphs that I made from the file “basin_wb_yr.txt” for each scenario.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of hydrology
Basic knowledge of Qgis (vector file creation, rasters, datum or cartographic system definition, etc.)

Description

In this course you will learn what a hydrological model is and how it is useful. In the current hydroclimatic situation of water deficit, drought, and poor water management, it is essential to know how precipitation, temperatures, and anthropic activities have behaved in relation to the hydrological sustainability of natural and human ecosystems.

In particular, you will learn how to use the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model in Qgis to estimate the water balance of a watershed or area of interest, i.e., the parameters of evapotranspiration (amount of water transpired by plants and water evaporated from soils), groundwater recharge (amount of water percolating into the aquifer), among others. This model is and has been used in numerous scientific publications throughout the world, so its validity is very significant within the community of academics and students of environmental, earth and engineering sciences.

At the end of this course you will be able to know (quantitatively) how an area that catches your attention and/or is being affected by unfavorable situations, such as inadequate land use, low rainfall, etc., has behaved hydrologically. In addition, you will have the ability to make your own models, which you can use in your academic and/or professional activities. For example, you can collaborate in making decisions regarding communities affected by climate change.

I sincerely hope you get the most out of this course that I have prepared with the best of intentions.

See you in the virtual classroom!

Who this course is for:

Students, enthusiasts and professionals in the environmental, earth and engineering sciences

Hydrologic modeling with SWAT+ and Qgis (English version)

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introductory concepts4 lectures • 24min

SWAT+ Modelling with simulated data5 lectures • 1hr 12min

SWAT+ Modeling with observed data3 lectures • 1hr 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: