Storm Event Analysis of Forested Catchments on the Atlantic Coastal Plain Using MSME, a Modified SCS-CN Runoff Model

In this study, we calibrated and tested the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) based Modified Sahu-Mishra-Eldo (MSME) model for predicting storm event total direct runoff (Q_tot) The MSME model satisfactorily predicted the estimated Q_{tot_pred} for three watersheds, unsatisfactory for one watershed. These results demonstrate MSME model’s potential to predict direct runoff in poorly drained forested watersheds as reference for urbanizing coastal landscapes. The flooding conditions of the lower coastal plain landscapes can be further exacerbated beyond that shown by storm runoff-based flood discharges potentially due to ground water table rise as sea level rises.