Paper Description of a Simplified GIS-Based Surface Water Model for an Arid Catchment in Jordan

Author: Rafe S. Abu Ashour
Organization: Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre

P.O.Box 414
Al Jubayha 11941-Jordan
Amman, 11941
Jordan

Phone: 962-6-5345188
Fax: 962-6-5347694
rgc@nic.net.jo

Winter flood flows in the eastern desert of Jordan represent a potential source of water that could be developed to satisfy local needs. The lack of reliable estimates of flow records in the area stands as a barrier to developing successful water harvesting schemes. This paper describes a simplified surface water model that could be used to generate the required flow records. The model applies GIS techniques to describe the catchment topography and the active hydrological processes as well as to simulate the runoff generation and routing processes.