A GIS-linked hydrology and water quality model: SWAT

In this poster the applied Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to watershed modelling is presented. The Pusiano Lake watershed is located in North Italy, at southern boundary of Alps, on a substratum prevalently calcareous. The main aim of the modelling framework is a basin-scale nutrients modelling, estimation of loads from the catchment and resulting water quality. A preliminary hydrological study was conducted using HEC-HMS model, which allows to understand the complex dynamics of the catchment. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was choose to study water quality aspects in the watershed. The model requires spatial data on elevation, hydrography, land use, soil characteristics etc. It leads to implementation of GIS as integral part of database. The GIS interface for SWAT allows to examine the available spatial data and provides a strong integrated tool for Lake Pusiano watershed modelling.