| Abstract: | A framework for a watershed information system is presented in which the topology of the drainage basin is closely followed in the data structure. The topography is partitioned into a set of subcatchments and hillslopes that are organized around the drainage network, automatically extracted and defined from standard digital elevation data. A set of recursive algorithms perform the actual topographic feature extraction and synthesis into a full basin model, and also serve as the basis for processing registered information. The techniques are particularly well suited to support and parameterize distributed components runoff models as full hydrologic connectivity throughout the basin is explicitly defined. Full scale flexibility in terms of the representation of the topography and aggregation of physical units is achieved by the recursive nature of the data stucture, allowing straightforward translation between scales and the investigation and choice of the appropriate scale for various hydrologic applications. |
