The development of the computer technologies enables us to solve the ecological problems in water management practice very efficiently. Hydrodynamical models which simulating transport of pollution in surface water are very demanding on input data and calculation time, but on the other side, they are able to simulate detailed effect of dispersion in surface waters. The paper deals with 1-dimensional numerical model HEC-RAS and its response on various values of dispersion coefficient. This parameter is one of the most important input data for simulation of pollution spreading in streams. Getting fair value, however, is in practice very difficult. One option is the most accurate simulation of tracer experiments carried out on the ground on the natural surface flow. For the pilot application was selected flow Small Nitra. Of longitudinal dispersion coefficient in the flow, or the flow of a similar nature (with and limit the rate of flow), were in the range 0.05 to 2.5 m² · s^–1. The next task was carrying out the model sensitivity analysis, which means to evaluate input data influences, especially longitudinal dispersion coefficient, on outputs computed by 1-dimensional simulation model HEC-RAS. Sensitivity analysis model HEC-RAS also showed its adequate response to changes of the input parameter. Given the present results it can be stated that the HEC-RAS model responds to changes in the values of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient appropriately. HEC-RAS model has demonstrated its applicability to simulation of pollution in streams, and therefore is an appropriate tool for decision making related to the quality of water resources.

185-194