A Coupled SWAT-AEM Modelling Framework for a Comprehensive Hydrologic Assessment
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Manuscript presents an interesting study by integrating the surface and ground water modelling framework within the SWAT model by coupling the AEM based GW simulation approach. Ground water dynamics was captured and validated in the San Jacinto river basin (SJRB) in Texas, USA. However, a few points can be considered for its wider applicability to simulate the surface and ground water interaction using SWAT-AEM.
#1. The HRUs' generated by SWAT and for its subsequent use in GW modelling need to include the presence of other water bodies besides natural drainage network (river) viz. canal system in other applicable regions to include the influence of seepage due to canal water body.
#2. Validation of the SWAT-AEM using only four observation wells in watershed area of 7251 sq km need to be strengthened by using in other regions with high tubewell density.
#3. The SCS-CN method can be mentioned as NRCS-CN method and if possible st-Vennant's equation module can be used for surface water quantification.
#4. The predictability of SWAT-AEM for ground water depth varied from 3-10m and the reason adjudged was use of the generic pumping rate data from literature. However, the real pumping rate data of observation weels in the study site.
#5. The type of model coupling (whether loose or tight coupling) need to be mentioned in the manuscript. Also, the python code developed is for the entire SWAT-AEM or only for the integration module? Besides this, the developed integrated modelling framework along with source code should be made available to other interested research groups for its wider validation in different regions around the globe.
#6. SWAT-AEM can be applied for sustainable ground water management in the regions with use of ground water resources and for water guzzling crops like rice and also for more prevalent rice-wheat cropping systems in India.
#7. In regions with vertical aquifer heteroginity, the concept of SWAT-AEM need to be validated and some modification in terms of indices cane be developed to make SWAT-AEM more robust.
#7. Minor grammatical errors in present form of the manuscript can be corrected by a professional English reader. For example in the line number 40 mention of " In all the developing countries" it can be " In all developing Countries" (" the" is redundant here and can be removed) or simply developing countries witnessing --------- etc can be written. The abstract section can be reduced to provide significant finding of the manuscript.
Nonetheless, such type of work pertaining to integration of surface and ground water modelling frame work is very pertinent in the field of management of natural resources and should be used for sustainable management of both surface and ground water resources and generation of ground water pumping schedule for crops and cropping systems in presetn and future climate scenarios in both watershed and command area basis.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors,
The reviewer finds this manuscript greatly contributes to the water-related scientific community when integrating hydrologic models is of great concern about surface water and groundwater interaction. The manuscript is well structured and well written, with very few errors in English semantics. If there are no major findings, this manuscript is ready for publication. However, it needs a bit more work to polish by improving figures and having proper bibliography. For detail, please refer to the attached file. After reviewing this manuscript, the reviewer assures no comment for the publication once the major things listed in this report are addressed. The reviewer looks forward to reviewing the improved version of this manuscript.
Good luck with your improved version.
Best regards,
Anonymous reviewer.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.docx
Author Response
Please find the attachment which includes the point-by point response to the reviewer.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
