Hydrologic Modeling for Agricultural Reservoir Watersheds Using the COMFARM

Abstract

The component-based modeling framework for agricultural water-resources management (COMFARM) is a user-friendly, highly interoperable, lightweight modeling framework that supports the development of watershed-specific domain components. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the COMFARM for the design and creation of a component-based modeling system of agricultural reservoir watersheds. A case study that focused on a particular modeling system was conducted on a watershed that includes the Daehwa and Dangwol serial irrigation reservoirs. The hydrologic modeling system for the study area was constructed with linkable components, including the modified Tank, an agricultural water supply and drainage model, and a reservoir water balance model. The model parameters were each calibrated for two years, based on observed reservoir water levels. The simulated results were in good agreement with the observed data. In addition, the applicability of the COMFARM was evaluated for regions where reservoir outflows, including not only spillway release but also return flow by irrigation water supply, substantially affect the downstream river discharge. The COMFARM could help to develop effective water-management measures by allowing the construction of a modeling system and evaluation of multiple operational scenarios customized for a specific watershed.