Hydrological Analysis of Stream Flow Characteristics of Huluka River, Abay Basin

Abstract

A thorough assessment of the magnitude and regularity of a river's low flow is necessary for planning and designing water resource projects. The catastrophic consequences of water scarcity have made it increasingly clear that low flow conditions are perilous. Another critical skill is the ability to anticipate low flow at any specific riverbank. The severity of low flows is affected by the way the terrain regulates water storage and release throughout time, which in turn is impacted by the climate. However, knowledge of the magnitude and frequency of river flow is necessary for both present-day and future water resource planning. This paper concentrates on the characteristics of Huluka River flow using stream flow record from 1995 to 2016. In addition, Hydrological index computations, such as Flow duration curve and fundamental discharge indices, determined the methodologies for flow characterization. In the areas of stream flow analysis and categorization, the zero-flow index was employed. Based on this index, the classification of stream flow was established. The study's findings demonstrate that the Huluka River has behavior of perennial stream type and good ground water contribution to stream flow due to its highest Baseflow Index and low Zero Flow Index. The value provided for Zero Flow Index and Baseflow Index were 0.004% and 67%, respectively. The findings of this study offer important insights for water resource management.