Derivation of initial soil moisture accounting parameters from soil properties for the National Weather Service River Forecast System

The method developed in this research will provide the initial soil moisture accounting parameters for the National Weather Service River Forecast System. The parameters will be physically consistent between basins and subareas of basins. In this study, each parameter used in the conceptual runoff model is investigated, and a computational procedure relating to soil properties is developed. Parameters are derived (for Council Creek near Stillwater, Okla.) and used in a computer verification program. This study demonstrates a practical and useful solution for obtaining soil moisture accounting parameters from soil properties. The effectiveness of this procedure can be increased by using it in conjunction with the parameters derived from basin hydrographs. Although the parameters derived from soil properties produce an excellent initial simulation, the optimum parameters may be found only by a trial and error approach that must be computerized because of the complexity of the model. By the use of this method, the number of trial and error attempts will be greatly decreased, and a considerable savings of man-hours and computer time will result. Bobby L. Armstrong. Includes bibliographical references (pages 43-44). 1978 NWS (National Weather Service) Library Public Domain 1931