Water cycle modelling of peri-urban hydroecological systems: A case study of the South Creek catchment, Australia

Abstract

Modelling offers a time efficient and cost-effective approach to integrate and analyse different components of complex peri-urban hydroecological systems. This paper evaluates and applies a catchment water balance model (Peri-Urban SimHyd) developed to simulate the complete water cycle of the South Creek catchment, a complex peri-urban catchment in Western Sydney (Australia). Peri-Urban SimHyd combined the modelling of daily rainfall-runoff from both impervious and pervious surfaces with the modelling of monthly reticulated potable water supply, wastewater flows, and surface and groundwater extractions, to simulate the monthly water balance of the catchment. The model was successful (the Nas..