A hydrologic model using remotely sensed data

The paper describes the application, on a microcomputer, of a distributed hydrologic model, with snow component, using data from satellite as well as conventional ground-based data. The data are combined in a database written as a 'front-end' for hydrometeorological modelling on micro-computers. Two basins in western Canada with significant snowpack are being studied; the Kootenay and the Souris. The model has seven components and is modular form so that components can be quickly changed. Daily visible and near infra-red data from a NOAA satelite are used, both from digital tape and from black and white photographs. The objectives of the study are to investigate the utility of data from satellite in a hydrometeorological model in different physiographic and climatic areas, and to use the model as a test bed for different physically-based components.