Modeling runoff and sediment yield of Kesem dam watershed, Awash basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Runoff and sediment yield modeling is important in the watershed to alleviate soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation. This paper presents runoff and sediment yield modeling of Kesem dam watershed, which has a drainage area of 2660 km 2. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT, version 2009) integrated with ArcGIS software (version 9.3) was used to simulate the stream flow and sediment concentration of Kesem dam watershed situated in Awash River basin for the period from 1994 to 2010. The model was calibrated manually by adjusting sensitive parameters using observed data from 2001 to 2006, and validation was done using observed data from 2007 to 2010. The model performance was checked by statistical model performance evaluators such as the coefficient of determination (R 2), Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency and Percent bias and it shows that the model has a high potential in the estimation of runoff and sediment yield. The test of the model SWAT by simulating the streamflow and sediment concentration was satisfactory. From the generated spatial distribution of runoff and Sediment yield of the Kesem dam watershed, subbasins 12 and 13 were high runoff and sediment yielding sub-basins among the 41 sub-basins. The outputs of this study will be used by water resource managers and decision makers to conserve soil and water in the sub-watershed levels.

Investigation of climate change impact on the optimal operation of koka reservoir, upper awash watershed, Ethiopia

“…In this study, the main reasons for choosing the SWAT model are (1) The spatial and non-spatial data required by the model are available at the desired resolution (2) The model and its manual are non-commercial. (3) The performance of the model for surface runoff simulation in different watersheds of Ethiopia is appreciated and recommended [ 5 , 19 , [42] , [43] , [44] ]. (4) The continuous time-based properties of the SWAT model can allow runoff prediction at user defined temporal resolution.…”

Land cover change and its implication to hydrological regimes and soil erosion in Awash River basin, Ethiopia: a systematic review

“…Awash Basin Authority 2017 reports and strategic plan and five articles (Abebe & Gebremariam, 2019;Jilo et al, 2019;Naqvi et al, 2019;Tibebe & Bewket, 2011;Zeberie, 2020) were chosen to assess land cover impacts on sediment loss. The literature employed various techniques to detect land cover and its relation with hydrological regimes (Fig.…”

“…The higher agriculture expansion attributed to the change in hydrological flow variables such as increased maximum flow, wet season flow, and the minimum and the dry seasonal flow decreased over the study period. In Kessem Dam watershed, variable sediment yield and runoff across the subbasins were observed to the weight of LC in the subbasin and other initiatives factors; however, the higher sediment yield in rangebrush and agricultural land (Abebe & Gebremariam, 2019). Another study by Tadese et al (2020a) identified land cover change and future climate variation in the whole basin; furthermore, Middle and Lower basins decrease water availability and increase potential evapotranspiration.…”

Evaluation of stream flow under land use land cover change: A case study of Chemoga Catchment, Abay Basin, Ethiopia

“…With this respect, the hydrological model which is soil water assessment tool (SWAT) and geographic information system (GIS) facilities were extensively used. The model was used in Ethiopia in the watershed or sub-watershed level (Welde and Gebremariam, 2017;Abebe and Gebremariam, 2019;Setegn et al, 2009;Mengistu and Sorteberg, 2012). The SWAT is a distributed parameter model designed to simulate water, sediment in watersheds and large river basins with varying climatic conditions, soil properties, stream channel characteristics, land use and agricultural management practices 1998).…”