Author(s)

F. C. B. Mascarenhas, M. G. Miguez & L. P. C. Magalhães

Abstract

The assessment of catchment behaviour is a complex issue and constitutes a valuable tool for water resources management. The aim of this paper is to present the theoretical basis of MODCEL, an integrated program for river basin simulation composed by three different models that perform hydrodynamic, hydrologic and water quality simulation, also allowing representation of water users’ withdrawal, wastewater discharge and operation of hydraulic structures. The main engine of MODCEL is based on a hydrodynamic cell model. This hydrodynamic model represents the basin through a cell network in order to produce a looped discharge net to simulate flow patterns. The hydrologic model performs rainfall-runoff simulation and works as a lumped model in each cell of the domain region, although it can be variable from cell to cell. The water quality model is based on a lagrangean approach and applies for the transport of particles that represent conservative or nonconservative substances. The developed program can be used in many different applications, such as rainfall-runoff simulation and flood routing, among others. Finally, a case study applied to the Paraiba do Sul river basin in Brazil is presented. Keywords: cell model, hydrologic modelling, river basin simulation. 1 Introduction Water resources management depends on the assessment of quantitative and qualitative issues regarding river basins. In this context, mathematical models can provide an important support tool for this analysis. MODCEL is a computer program developed for river basin simulation. It is composed by three models which are responsible for hydrodynamic, hydrologic

Keywords

cell model, hydrologic modelling, river basin simulation.