Changes in the hydrological characteristics of Cauvery river draining the eastern side of southern Western Ghats, India

Sreelash, K.; Mathew, Merin Mariam; Nisha, N.; Arulbalaji, P.; Bindu, A. G.; Sharma, Rajat

doi:10.1080/15715124.2020.1719119

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The Western Ghats form a rain-shadow along the western coastline, decreasing the precipitation gradient during the south-western monsoon [53]. The mean daily temperatures vary between 9 • C and 25 • C throughout the catchment [54]. In the area of the Western Ghats, the soils tend to be very deep, valley bottoms covered in dense forests and mountain slopes are predominately grassland [55].…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Assessment of Hydrological Models in the Upper Cauvery Catchment

Horan

Gowri

Wable

et al. 2021

Water

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This paper presents a comparison of the predictive capability of three hydrological models, and a mean ensemble of these models, in a heavily influenced catchment in Peninsular India: GWAVA (Global Water AVailability Assessment) model, SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) and VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model. The performance of the three models and their ensemble were investigated in five sub-catchments in the upstream reaches of the Cauvery river catchment. Model performances for monthly streamflow simulations from 1983–2005 were analysed using Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, Kling-Gupta efficiency and percent bias. The predictive capability for each model was compared, and the ability to accurately represent key catchment hydrological processes is discussed. This highlighted the importance of an accurate spatial representation of precipitation for input into hydrological models, and that comprehensive reservoir functionality is paramount to obtaining good results in this region. The performance of the mean ensemble was analysed to determine whether the application of a multi-model ensemble approach can be useful in overcoming the uncertainties associated with individual models. It was demonstrated that the ensemble mean has a better predictive ability in catchments with reservoirs than the individual models, with Nash-Sutcliffe values between 0.49 and 0.92. Therefore, utilising multiple models could be a suitable methodology to offset uncertainty in input data and poor reservoir operation functionality within individual models.

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Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Assessment of Hydrological Models in the Upper Cauvery Catchment

Horan

Gowri

Wable

et al. 2021

Water

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show abstract

“…The mean annual rainfall varies from 6000 mm in the upper reaches to 300 mm on the eastern boundary [49]. The mean daily temperatures vary between 9C and 25C throughout the catchment [26]. The Western Ghats form a rain-shadow along the western coastline decreasing the precipitation gradient during the SW monsoon [50].…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The basin is highly anthropogenically influenced. The land use of the basin comprises of 48% agriculture, 22% non-arable land, 19% forest and 9% urban [26]. Natural forests are under great stress due to increasing demand for the forest products and competition over land use.…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over recent decades, the hydrological functioning of the Cauvery Basin has been altered by drivers including urbanisation, land use change, increased groundwater use, and the proliferation of small-scale surface water storage interventions [26]. The Cauvery Basin is predominantly situated in the federal states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, although it crosses into Kerala and Puducherry [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling Small-scale Storage Interventions in Semi-Arid India at the Basin Scale

Horan¹,

Wable²,

Srinivasan³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Recently, there has been renewed interest in the performance, functionality, and sustainability of traditional small-scale storage interventions (check dams, farm bunds and tanks) used across India for the improvement of local water security. The Central Groundwater Board of India is en-couraging the construction of such interventions for the alleviation of water scarcity. It is of critical importance to understand the hydrological effect of these interventions at basin scales to maximise their effectiveness. The quantification of small-scale interventions in hydrological modelling is often neglected, especially in large-scale modelling exercises. A bespoke version of the GWAVA model was developed to assess the impact of interventions on the water balance of the Cauvery Basin and two smaller sub-catchments. Model results demonstrate that farm bunds appear to have a negligible effect on the estimated average annual simulated streamflow at the outlets of the two sub-catchments and the basin whereas tanks and check dams have a more significant effect. In-terventions generally were found to increase evaporation losses across the catchment. The model adaption used in this study provides a step-change in the conceptualisation and quantification of the consequences of small-scale storage interventions in large- or basin-scale hydrological models.

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“…The Western Ghats form a rain-shadow along the western coastline, decreasing the precipitation gradient during the south-western monsoon [54]. The mean daily temperatures vary between 9 C and 25 C throughout the catchment [55]. In the area of the Western Ghats, the soils tend to be very deep, valley bottoms covered in dense forests and mountain slopes are predominately grassland [56].…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Assessment of the GWAVA, SWAT and VIC Models in the Hydrological Modelling of the Upper Cauvery Catchment, India

Horan¹,

Gowri²,

Wable³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents a comparison of the predictive capability of three hydrological models in a heavily influenced catchment in Peninsula India. In catchments where there is a high dependence on both streamflow and groundwater to meet demands, it is of importance to capture the catchment processes correctly. This study highlights the performance evaluation of a multi-model ensemble consisting of GWAVA (Global Water AVailability Assessment) model, SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) and VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model for comparative purposes and the key catchment hydrological processes. The three models were compared in several sub-catchments in the upstream reaches of the Cauvery river catchment. Model performances for monthly streamflow simulations from 1983 – 2005 were analysed for five catchments in the Upper Cauvery. The analysis was undertaken using Nash- Sutcliffe Efficiency, Kling- Gupta Efficiency and percent bias. Additionally, a mean ensemble is presented. The application of a multi-model ensemble approach can be useful in overcoming the uncertainties associated with individual models. The ensemble mean has a better predictive ability in catchments with reservoirs than the individual models. Utilising multiple models could be a suitable methodology to offset uncertainty in input data and poor reservoir operation functionality within individual models. This study has highlighted the importance of an accurate spatial representation of precipitation for input into hydrological models and comprehensive reservoir functionality is paramount to obtaining good results in this region.

show abstract

Changes in the hydrological characteristics of Cauvery river draining the eastern side of southern Western Ghats, India

Cited by 15 publications

References 42 publications

A Comparative Assessment of Hydrological Models in the Upper Cauvery Catchment

A Comparative Assessment of Hydrological Models in the Upper Cauvery Catchment

Modelling Small-scale Storage Interventions in Semi-Arid India at the Basin Scale

A Comparative Assessment of the GWAVA, SWAT and VIC Models in the Hydrological Modelling of the Upper Cauvery Catchment, India

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