Validation of the Hydrological Modelling in DANUBIA

Abstract

The physically based, spatially distributed hydrological and land surface model PROMET is used in GLOWA-Danube to simulate the land surface and hydrologic processed as well as the impact of hydraulic structures on the natural water flows. The unique features, which make PROMET suitable for global change impact analysis in the field of hydrology within GLOWA-Danube, are explained, and PROMET was extensively validated for an extended climatic period from 1971 to 2003. The validation consisted of three steps which include the annual variability of the water balance over a climatic period, the daily variation of run-off and the annual peak discharges and low flows. The validation was carried out for the whole basin and selected subbasins differing in size and conditions. The validation shows good to very good results. Weak results can be attributed to human interventions as well as failures in hydraulic structures, which are not covered by PROMET.