Evaluating SWAT Performance to Quantify the Streamflow Sediment Yield in a Highly Urbanized Basin

Hydrological predictive models represent the most recently developed tools in the field of water simulation. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied in the Aspio basin in central Italy. After a calibration and validation procedure based on daily streamflow-observed data, the sediment erosion rate from the basin was estimated in the 4 years of simulation. The years of 2016 and 2018 were characterized by a higher amount of transported sediment, which coincided with the run-off peaks events. Regarding the land-use classification, this study shows how the agricultural and artificial areas provide a higher contribution to the transported sediments. This study shows that SWAT can be used for land management in highly urbanized watersheds.