Cellular automata algorithm for simulation of surface flows in large plains

A hydrological model based in the cellular automata paradigm, capable to handle extended geographical domains discretized in a large number of cells is presented. The automata simulates the natural surface water flow by tracking local water stocks, book-keeping precipitation, infiltration, evapotranspiration, and intercellular flows. The flow resistance is represented with a relaxation local parameter, which takes different values for the watercourses and the terrain. Likewise, an infiltration function regulates the downward movement of water. The model was tested in the Santa Catalina Creek Basin (158 km2, centre Buenos Aires Province in Argentina), showing excellent performance in reproducing the effect of various rainfall scenarios.