Abstract
Hydrological models are considered as necessary tools for water and environmental resource management. However, modelling poorly gauged watersheds has been a challenge to hydrologists and hydraulic engineers. Research done recently has shown the potential to overcome this challenge through incorporating satellite based hydrological and meteorological data in the measured data. This paper presents results for a study that used the semi-distributed conceptual HBV Light Model to model the rainfall-runoff in the Mara River Basin, Kenya. The model simulates runoff as a function of rainfall. It is built on the basis established between satellite observed and in-situ rainfall, evaporation, temperature and the measured runoff. The model’s performance and reliability were evaluated over two sub-catchments namely: Nyangores and Amala in the Mara River Basin using the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency which the model referred to as Reff and the coefficient of determination (R2). The Reff for Nyangores and Amala during the calibration and (validation) period were 0.65 (0.68) and 0.59 (0.62) respectively. The model showed good flow simulations particularly during the recession flows, in the Nyangores sub-catchment whereas it simulated poorly the short term fluctuations of the high-flow for Amala sub-catchment. Results from this study can be used by water resources managers to make informed decision on planning and management of water resources.
Highlights
This paper presents results for a study that used the semi-distributed conceptual HBV Light Model to model the rainfall-runoff in the Mara River Basin, Kenya
This paper focuses on a study that was carried out in the Mara River Basin that cuts across Kenya and Tanzania
The results showed that the Amala sub-catchment has experienced higher decline in average monthly flow levels over the last 15 years, transported higher sediment load per unit catchment area and has generally lower water quality than the Nyangores sub-catchment, suggesting land degradation in this sub-catchment may be responsible for declines in water quantity and quality in the Mara River basin
Summary
With the increasing population, expanding urbanization, modernised lifestyles, climate changes and other global changes, the pressure for sustainable planning and management of the finite water resources is more evident than ever
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