Evaluating Sediment Prediction Capability of Two Hydrological Models in Ribb and Kessie Watersheds, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Asnakew Melku Fenta,
Mamaru Ayalew Moges,
Bayu Geta Bihonegn
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2023
Pages:
23-32
Received:
5 June 2023
Accepted:
25 June 2023
Published:
6 July 2023
Abstract: In Ethiopia's Upper Blue Nile Basin, soil erosion, land degradation, sedimentation of reservoirs, shortening of the useful lives of infrastructure, & lakes and loss of agricultural soils are serious issues. The capacity to estimate the yield of sediment in the Ribb and Kessie watersheds is investigated using the parameter-efficient semi-distributed watershed model and the soil and water assessment tool. This study's goal was to assess the sediment prediction abilities of two hydrological models in the Upper Blue Nile Basin over a variety of watershed sizes. In the Upper Blue Nile Basin, the Ribb (1472 km2) and Kessie (24,171 km2) watersheds were chosen. The stream flow data for the Ribb watersheds from 2002 to 2011 and 2012 to 2017 were used for model calibration and validation, and a suspended sediment rating curve was created utilizing some measured values. Similar to this, the sparse sediment data for the Kessie watershed stream flow from 1997 to 2006 and 2007 to 2013 was produced using the sediment rating curve from Ministry of Water and Energy data. The model efficiency on daily time step scale during calibration and validation periods for parameter-efficient semi-distributed watershed model (NSE= 0.62, 0.68), (NSE= 0.41, 0.58) and soil and water assessment tool (NSE= 0.52, 0.63), (NSE= 0.55, 0.61) were obtained for Ribb and Kessie watersheds respectively. The measured and predicted discharge and sediment showed a range of satisfactory to very good agreement as a consequence. The model's output on a monthly time step scale likewise varied and was superior to that on a daily time step scale. Overall model performance showed that the PED-W model was more suitable than the SWAT model for predicting stream flow and sediment yield in the chosen watershed. This was caused by PED-W being oversaturated and plots being scaled up, which is the case in the Ethiopian highland.
Abstract: In Ethiopia's Upper Blue Nile Basin, soil erosion, land degradation, sedimentation of reservoirs, shortening of the useful lives of infrastructure, & lakes and loss of agricultural soils are serious issues. The capacity to estimate the yield of sediment in the Ribb and Kessie watersheds is investigated using the parameter-efficient semi-distributed...
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Geophysical Prospecting of Aquifer Hydrogeological Properties: Implications for Groundwater Resource Management in Parts of Indus Plain, Pakistan
Inayat Ur Rahman,
Cui Yian,
Shafqat Hussain,
Akbar Ali,
Mustafa Qasim,
Idrees Khan,
Musa Khan
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2023
Pages:
33-42
Received:
17 June 2023
Accepted:
7 July 2023
Published:
24 July 2023
Abstract: Groundwater resource management is globally essential for sustainable development, as approximately 30% of Earth's total freshwater is accessible as groundwater. Additionally, the sustainability of groundwater resources in northeast Punjab province, Pakistan, is under threat due to several processes, including overexploitation, increasing pollution, and anthropogenic activities in the current Anthropocene era. Addressing this problem requires continuous hydrogeological exploration. Thus, extensive and adequate hydrogeological exploration is necessary to identify underlying geological layers, the aquifer layer, and aquifer hydrogeological properties. In this study, we conducted the resistivity technique, specifically vertical electrical sounding (VES), in conjunction with borehole lithological logs. The objective was to delineate the variations in depth, thickness, and resistivity of the underlying hydrogeological layers, as well as to evaluate the aquifer geohydraulic properties (e. g., depth, thickness, apparent resistivity, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance, hydraulic conductivity, and transmissivity) and groundwater quality properties (e g., salinity distribution). This assessment aimed to gain insights into the potentiality of groundwater and the potential risks of groundwater contamination for effective groundwater resource management. We utilized the least-squares method of the IpI2Winv program to invert the calculated apparent resistivity, which was characterized by a dynamic range for smoothening and correcting outliers. The subsurface was divided into rectangular blocks, and the application automatically generated a 2D model. To reduce the discrepancy between the measured and computed apparent resistivity values, we repeatedly modified the resistivity of the blocks through computer iteration. This iterative process aimed to minimize errors and increase the goodness of fit. The relationship between the model response and the VES points' field data was frequently less than 8%. The comprehensive analysis of aquifer geohydraulic properties and groundwater salinity distribution provides valuable insights for groundwater resource management. In summary, this study will aid in developing a plan for drilling new productive wells to ensure drinking water, irrigation, and long-term plantation sustainability in the region and other areas within the Indus Plain, Pakistan.
Abstract: Groundwater resource management is globally essential for sustainable development, as approximately 30% of Earth's total freshwater is accessible as groundwater. Additionally, the sustainability of groundwater resources in northeast Punjab province, Pakistan, is under threat due to several processes, including overexploitation, increasing pollution...
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