In this study, a distributed rainfall-runoff model is developed using a multi-directional flow allocation algorithm and the real-time runoff updating algorithm. The developed model consists of relatively simple governing equations of hydrologic processes in order to apply developed algorithms and to enhance the efficiency of computational time which is drawback of distributed model application. The variability of topographic characteristics and flow direction according to various spatial resolution were analyzed using DEM(Digital Elevation Model) data. As a preliminary process using fine resolution DEM data, a multi-directional flow allocation algorithm was developed to maintain detail flow information in distributed rainfall-runoff simulation which has strong advantage in computation efficiency and accuracy. Also, a real-time updating algorithm was developed to update current watershed condition. The developed model is able to hold the information of actual behavior of runoff process in low resolution simulation. Therefore it is expected the improvement of forecasting accuracy and computational efficiency.

The applicability of the developed distributed rainfall runoff model using a multi-directional flow allocation algorithm and a real-time updating algorithm was evaluated. The rainfall runoff processes were simulated for the events of the Andong dam basin and the Namgang dam basin using raingauge network data and weather radar rainfall data, respectively. Model parameters of the basins were estimated using previous storm event then those parameters were applied to a current storm event. The physical propriety of the multi-directional flow allocation algorithm for flow routing was validated by presenting the result of flow grouping for the Andong dam basin. Results demonstrated that the developed model has efficiency of simulation time with maintaining accuracy by applying the multi-directional flow allocation algorithm and it can obtain more accurate results by applying the real-time updating algorithm. In this study, we demonstrated the applicability of a distributed rainfall runoff model for the advanced basin-wide flood management.