Estimation of dependable flow in river baspa at kuppa barrage using flow duration curve

Abstract

Estimation of dependable flow at different levels is considered one of the important parameters for planning, designing, and managing water-related projects, including hydropower generation, irrigation systems, water use, and river and reservoir sedimentation. For this purpose, the Flow Duration Curve (FDC) is developed by analyzing the available stream flow data at the site when adequate length of observed data are not available. The FDC is a valuable tool for determining the flow patterns of a river and estimating dependable flow. The FDC provides the percentage of time duration during which a stream flow (monthly, seasonal, or annual) is exceeded over a recorded period for a particular river or stream, which can be constructed by adopting the empirical method. By analyzing the FDC, the flow patterns of the Baspa river at the Kuppa barrage were determined, and the dependable flow was estimated. This paper presents a study on the assessment of monthly, seasonal, and annual dependable flow through the FDC by adopting an empirical method for the river Baspa at Kuppa barrage. The study suggests the dependable flow at different percentage levels like 75%, 90%, and 100% obtained from FDCs could be used for planning irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water projects in the study area.