Comparison of digital elevation models for hydrological modeling

Abstract

Topography represented in the form of DEM has major applications in watershed modeling. Hence, choosing a correct DEM with reasonable accuracy for hydrological modeling is prerequisite. In this study, TOPO DEM, SRTM DEM, ASTER DEM and BHUVAN DEM were taken for comparison in terms of catchment delineation which is a vital information for hydrological modeling. It is observed that there is no considerable difference in the delineation of the watershed with and without the burning of drainage lines. However, between the DEMs, ASTER showed different pattern of delineation, and all other DEMs behaved in similar lines. The percentage variation of area delineated by SRTM, Bhuvan, ASTER with respect to toposheet DEM was 1.50%, 1.86% and 20.09% respectively.