Abstract
This research aimed to use WetSpass model to estimate long-term average annual and seasonal groundwater recharge for Birki watershed (45 km2) in northern Ethiopia using long-term (10 years) hydro-meteorological and biophysical (soil, land use, topography, slope and groundwater depth) data of the watershed. Both primary and secondary input data were collected using field survey and disk-based data collection methods. The model was used to understand the groundwater recharge potential of the given area for wise utilization, proper management and future planning of the water resource. The results showed that, summer (rainy season) recharge ranges from 0 to 41.09 mm/year with mean value of 24.1 mm/year (96.5%), winter (dry season) recharge ranges from 0 to 1.9 mm/year with mean value of 0.8 mm/year (3.5%) and yearly recharge ranges from 0 to 42.6 mm/year with mean value of 24.9 mm/year. Ten years of mean annual precipitation 573 mm contributed to 7.4% as recharge to the groundwater, 7.1% of surface runoff and 85.5% lost as evapotranspiration. Annually, 1.1205 million m3 water recharges into the groundwater table as recharge from the precipitation for the entire watershed area. Annually on average 0.17 m3/d/ha groundwater can be extracted safely without depleting the groundwater. Understanding the groundwater recharge of the Birki watershed is important for management, proper utilization and future planning of water resources for sustainable management. It is also good baseline information for water resource experts and policymakers of the region for further investigation of water resources, design, and developmental activities and for planning purpose.
Highlights
Background and justificationWater resource, which is the backbone and crucial element of life, is needed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the increasing demand for domestic, agricultural and industrial processing operations (Fenta et al 2014; Shanableh and Merabtene 2015; Arefayne et al 2015)
Water resource is found as surface water and groundwater forms, surface water is not a reliable source as it is prone to seasonal fluctuations and susceptible to contamination through anthropogenic activities such as point, non-point pollution sources and biological pollutions (Fenta et al 2014)
According to the above results, WetSpass model simulates the water balance components in Birki watershed which is 7.4% as recharge to groundwater, 7.1% surface runoff, and 85.5% evapotranspiration have some similarity and difference with the results shown above, this difference can be observed because of variation in hydro-meteorological components, geological formations, climatic variability, physical properties of soils, watershed area, input data and their spatial resolution and conservation practices with a given watershed, such as Birki watershed is a highly conserved watershed that is way the runoff is so small
Summary
Background and justificationWater resource, which is the backbone and crucial element of life, is needed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the increasing demand for domestic, agricultural and industrial processing operations (Fenta et al 2014; Shanableh and Merabtene 2015; Arefayne et al 2015). Groundwater is more suitable in quantity, readily available and is naturally protected from direct contamination by surface anthropogenic activities (Fenta et al 2014). It is the largest reservoir of liquid freshwater on the planet and is critical for sustaining life on earth, as it is used to satisfy different human and environmental needs (Zomlot et al 2015a)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
