4-Modelling of Snowmelt Runoff.

Abstract

The Himalayas play a very significant role in the country's economy. They are vast reservoirs of snow and glaciated ice and occupy a unique position in the Indian perspective i f development of water resources. The major river systems of North India, namely, the Indus, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries originate in the Himalaya. The contribution of the snow and glacier and glacier melt to these sncw fed rivers of India is well recognised and most of it is received in the summer months of April to June, when there is heavy demand for water Proper estimation and prediction of volume of water contained in the snow pack and rate of release of this water are therefore needed for efficient management of water resources. In spite of substantial contribution from the Himalayan Rivers, at present there is no hydrological model available in our country, which can 63, applied for snowmelt forecast for reservoir operation and planning and management of various water resources projects on the Himalayan Rivers. A conceptual model based on simple approach and minimum data requirement is required to be developed to the Himalayan basins. The paper briefly describes various models available and summarises the studies carried out by Central Water Commission for estimation of snowmelt runofff rom the experimental watershed at Sundlinala using various available models. The conclusions derived by the above studies and recommendations are discussed.