Watershed Simulation and Forecasting System WSFS

The Watershed Simulation and Forecasting System (WSFS) is used for hydrological forecasting and real time monitoring in Finland1. The system is based on a watershed model (Bergström 1976) that simulates the hydrological cycle using standard meteorological data. The model simulates the whole land area of Finland, including cross-border watersheds, total of 390 000 km2. The model simulates the area in sub-basin level, the area is divided into 6200 sub-basins. The inputs of the model are precipitation and temperature and the simulated components of hydrological cycle are snow accumulation and melt, soil moisture, evaporation, ground water, runoff and discharges and water levels of main rivers and lakes.

References

1. Vehviläinen, B. & Huttunen, M. 2002. The Finnish watershed simulation and forecasting system (WSFS). Publication of the 21st conference of Danube countries on the hydro-logical forecasting and hydrological bases of water management. http://www.ymparisto.fi/download.asp?contentid=9539&lan=FI
2. Bergström, S. (1976). Development and application of a conceptual runoff model for Scandinavian  catchments.SMHI. Nr RH7. Norrköping.

 

 

General structure of the basic snowmelt-runoff component of a watershed model (Vehviläinen & Huttunen 2002).