Authors:M. Sayeeduzzaman and Frank H. Weirich Abstract:Availability of Java as a platform-independent programming language in recent years has provided us with a new tool for developing hydrologic models and integrating them with other cross-platform environmental modeling frameworks. A team of geomorphologists, hydrologists and computer scientists at the University of Iowa has recently developed a new Java and GIS-based hydrologic model for simulating runoff in watersheds under various hydro-geomorphic environments. Borrowing several components from ANSWERS, an existing widely used hydrologic model, the new model uses raster-based GIS data, distributed parameters, physically-based process relationships, and selective environment specific modules or functions to predict event-oriented storm hydrographs. Initially tested with data from a mountain watershed in California, the model is currently being calibrated and further developed for use in watersheds in other environments. While the project is still in progress, this paper presents an overview of the model, including its theoretical background, assumptions, data structure, process relationships, and implementation procedure. Keywords:hydrologic modeling, GIS, Java. (c) Copyright 1996-2006 M. Sayeeduzzaman |