Lab#6 2/19/2009, due 2/26/2009 before the class.
Remote Sensing in Hydrology, Spring 2009
Practicing Snowmelt Runoff Model
Purpose:
Snowmelt runoff model (SRM) is one of the hydrological models that use a
remote sensing product, snow covered area, as an input. In this lab, we will use SRM to
make melt season simulations and compare with the observed river discharges.
For this lab, three data sets will be used. First one with the normal snow covered
area, second one with an increased SCA and the last one will be with a reduced SCA
values. At the end of the lab, as an homework, the SCA effect on the runoff values will
be discussed.
Step 1: Downloading and installing SRM
 From the web page http://ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=8872
 Click WinSRM link
 Fill up the form and setup program in your computer.
Step 2: Downloading input files and running SRM
 From the \\129.115.25.240\XIE_misc\EES5093\Lab6 download the three files
called
“RioGrand@DN.mdb”,
“RioGrand@DN_H_SCA.mdb”
and
“RioGrand@DN_L_SCA.mdb” to a folder.
 Run the program “WinSRM”

Click “Start” in the popup window.
1

From the main menu bar of “WINSRM Snowmelt Runoff Model for Windows”
2



Click “File” and “Open”
From the popup window “open a SRM database” locate the file
“RioGrand@DN.mdb” that was downloaded in step2.
From the main menu bar of “WINSRM Snowmelt Runoff Model for Windows”
click “Run”, “Simulation” and “Melt Season Simulation”

As the execution of the program ends, Statistics, Melt Season Simulation window
comes up.

Click “Done”
3

From the main menu bar of “WINSRM Snowmelt Runoff Model for Windows”
click “Graphics” From the button in the red circle below, click arrow and select
“Runoff (Measured vs Computed)”
In the window, the observed and simulated discharges are seen. By clicking the diskette
icon, save the results as ASCII Files (*.txt)
4

The above process (starting from Click “File” and “Open” on page 3) will be
performed for three files “RioGrand@DN.mdb”,
“RioGrand@DN_H_SCA.mdb” and “RioGrand@DN_L_SCA.mdb
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Step 3: Analyzing the model outputs.
Saved Text file at the end of the second step includes both the measured and computed
discharges.
Text Files can be opened using Excel and necessary data can be derived from it.
 From Main menu of Excel click “File” “Open” and select the “*.txt” file that was
saved at the end of second step.
 In the text import wizard Click “Delimited” and click “Next”
 Tick “Space” and “Tab” as the delimiters and click “Next” Then click “Finish”
 Below figure shows the data imported into Excel
 Copy date and the measured runoff values in columns A and B below the Line#
line and paste in a new workbook.


Computed runoff start below the Line #2:00 row. Copy and paste the respective
computed runoff values near to the measured discharges in new workbook
New workbook should look like
6

Repeat the same steps for the remaining two text files. The final appearance
should be a kind of

Based on the above data plot discharges from April 1st 1977 till end of
September.
Discharge Comparison
45
SCA
High SCA
Low SCA
Measured
40
35
30
Q
25
20
15
10
5
Date
Step 4: Discussing model outputs.
Please write your comments about the high, low and normal snow covered area
effect on runoff simulations.
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10/13/1977
10/6/1977
9/29/1977
9/22/1977
9/15/1977
9/8/1977
9/1/1977
8/25/1977
8/18/1977
8/11/1977
8/4/1977
7/28/1977
7/21/1977
7/7/1977
7/14/1977
6/30/1977
6/23/1977
6/9/1977
6/16/1977
6/2/1977
5/26/1977
5/19/1977
5/5/1977
5/12/1977
4/28/1977
4/21/1977
4/7/1977
4/14/1977
3/31/1977
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