Watershed models are useful tools in water resources management. They integrate available data and scientific knowledge of hydrologic systems to simulate real world hydrologic processes. These simulations help resource managers in both planning and decision making. GLOWS is developing two hydrological models for the Mara River Basin that will help guide water resources planning and management in the region.

• MaraHydro is an event- and grid-based spatially distributed hydrological model capable of predicting stream flow and evapotranspiration on a daily or monthly basis. This model provides more precise runoff predictions for specific management reaches along the river system, such as those that are ecologically sensitive or those that are include intake points from municipal and agricultural water withdrawals.
• MaraSWAT is a semi-empirical and semi-physical hydrological model capable of predicting the effect of watershed management activities on water and sediment yields for large ungauged watersheds. We are using this model to evaluate long-term scenarios of development and water use in the basin.