Calibration and Reliability in Groundwater Modelling: Credibility of Modelling

(Proceedings of ModelCARE 2007 Conference, held in Denmark, September 2007). IAHS Publ. 320, 2008, 169-175.

Set-up and calibration of a distributed hydrological model of the Okavango Delta using remote sensing data

C. Milzow¹, L. Kgotlhang^1,2, V. Burg¹ & W. Kinzelbach¹

1 Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland

milzow@ifu.baug.ethz.ch

2 Department of Water Affairs, Government of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract The large dimensions of the Okavango Delta, a wetland in Botswana, require the use of remote sensing techniques for integrated hydrological assessments. This article presents a distributed hydrological model of the area, which mainly uses remote sensing to generate input data. Emphasis is put on how remote sensing is used to calibrate the model. Flooding patterns display major seasonal differences which are captured by multiple sensors and represent the observation data. In this article the use of 10 m resolution data from AVNIR-2 (visible and near infra red channels) onboard ALOS (Advanced Land Observation Satellite) is described in detail.

Key words Okavango Delta; hydrological modelling; wetland; remote sensing; calibration; water management