ИСТИНА

This study investigates the possibilities and limitations of a multi-objective validation approach for the distributed hydrological model ECOMAG in the high altitude Baksan River Basin, Central Caucasus. Runoff generation in the region is driven by snow and glacier melt, making accurate modelling crucial for water resource management. Traditional validation approaches that rely solely on observed runoff are often inadequate in mountainous regions due to limited monitoring stations and complex hydrological processes. To improve model reliability, we applied a multi-objective validation strategy using different datasets. The ECOMAG model was validated using observed discharge data, MODIS-derived snow cover maps, stable isotope hydrograph separation, glacier mass balance observations and glacier runoff simulations from the A-Melt energy balance model.