Quantitative evaluation of watershed attributes for water resources management in the Rift Valley Lakes Basin, Ethiopia: a case from Tikur Wuha river watershed

Abstract

Characterization of watershed hydrological process is vital for sustainable water resource management. The principal goal of this study was to investigate the inference of drainage attributes on basic hydrological processes using spatial-based morphometric analysis on Tikur Wuha river watershed. The result obtained indicated that the area was characterized with fifth-order stream. Drainage area with higher stream order has lower infiltration capacity, and the shorter stream lengths were associated with the steepness of the area which affects water flow. Based on N u value, sub-watersheds were categorized in the active erosion stage (SW7) and matured topography development (SW6). The interpretation from watershed geometry identified circular areas most susceptible to rapid hydrological response (SW11). Hydrological process and underlying materials are mainly correlated with the drainage texture parameter, and the lower the values indicated less rocky terrain and very high infiltration capacity which contributes toward less erosion (SW11). Relief parameters such as Rr value indicate the rate of stream flow and are well used in sediment yield estimation. The findings of this investigation will provide core information for water resource planning and further studies like identification of groundwater potential zones; flood risk assessment; erosion-prone area prioritization; and to select suitable sites for the construction of water harvesting structures.

Quantifying Impacts of Future Climate on the Crop Water Requirement, Growth Period, and Drought on the Agricultural Watershed, in Ethiopia

“…In Lake Hawassa watershed majority of lowland area is occupied by seasonal and perennial agricultural land, grassland, and wetland, whereas the upland terrain is predominantly covered by wooded bush, and woodlands (Abraham, Muluneh, et al, 2022; Degife et al, 2019). The watershed is composed of several small ungauged streams (Abraham et al, 2021) draining the upland terrain toward grassland and agriculture dominated lowland area (Abraham, Muluneh, et al, 2022; Girma et al, 2020). However, recently due to population increment, deforestation, and progressive replacement of other land use by agricultural land and built-up land have been shown (Abraham, Muluneh, et al, 2022; Gebeyehu Admasu, 2015).…”

Morphology and Morphometry Characteristic of Raya Watershed

“…This Watershed affects the lives of its residents. Watershed morphology and morphometry are quantitative watershed characteristics (Pareta & Pareta, 2011;Fenta et al, 2017;Tunas et al, 2017;Girma et al, 2020). They also determine the hydrological processes that occur in the watershed.…”

Application of Remote Sensing, GIS, and Drainage Morphometric Analysis in Groundwater potential Assessment for sustainable development in Iyenda River Catchment, Konso Zone, Rift Valley, Southern Ethiopia

“…An attempt has been undertaken to research the morphometric aspects of the Didessa watershed, which is part of the Blue Nile River basin in Ethiopia's southwestern region [25]. On the Tikur Wuha river watershed, the hydrological aspects of morphometric parameters were evaluated [26,27]. Quantitative morphometry analysis on Ribb and Gumara watersheds has been undertaken to prioritize the watershed for soil and water conservation [28].…”