Inducing Water Productivity from Snow Cover for Sustainable Water Management in Ibrahim River Basin, Lebanon

Talal Darwish,Simon Gascoin,Sagedah Saqallah,Nabil Amacha,Amin Shaban,Laurent Drapeau,Michele Vurro,Roula Khadra,Ivan Portoghese

doi:10.9734/bjast/2015/13777

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the effects and linkages between snow cover areas, distribution, probability and measured water discharge along east Mediterranean coastal watershed using moderate-resolution satellite images (MODIS-Terra). The Nahr Ibrahim River is a typical Lebanese watershed with an area of 326 km2 stretching between the sea and mountainous terrain to the east. The largest snow cover often exists in January-February with snow-free conditions between June and November. Image analysis enabled to analyze the temporal variability of the mean and maximum monthly areas of snow cover between 2000 and 2013. Snow cover dynamics were compared with the discharge from main springs (Afqa and Rouaiss) feeding the river and the probability of snow cover was estimated. The mean monthly snow cover, snow melting rates and springs discharge were found to be in direct relationship. In addition, the measured water discharge at the river mouth was found to be higher than the discharge of the two main feeding springs. This indicates a contribution of groundwater to the stream flow, which is again in direct connection with snow melting at the upper bordering slopes and probably from neighboring watersheds. Considering the characteristics of the mountainous rocks (i.e. Sinkholes, fissured and karstified limestone), the pedo-climatic and land cover conditions affect the hydrological regime which is directly responding to the area and temporal distribution of snow cover, which appears after two months from snowing events. This is reflected on water productivity and related disciplines (Agricultural yield, floods). This study highlights the potential of satellite snow detection over the watershed to estimate snow cover duration curve, forecast the stream flow regime and volume for better water management and flood risk preparedness.

Highlights

Water shortage in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region became a threatening reality with decreased renewable water resources
Average peak values are observed in February and lowest cover in late spring and late summer
According to recent field measurements, the contribution of snow to river flow is ranging between 30% and 80%, with an average of about 58% depending on a miscellany of terrain characteristics [21]

Summary

Introduction

Water shortage in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region became a threatening reality with decreased renewable water resources. The challenge of water resources management and water allocation under Mediterranean climate during the short periods of water abundance and long episodes of water scarcity will continue to create social and economic challenges, threatening the advance of MENA countries For this reason, it is important to build national policies, notably in Mediterranean countries relying on satellite derived information on snow cover as major water source, to build national resilience for the efficient use of available water resources during water scarcity periods including flood preparedness and higher water use efficiency. It is important to build national policies, notably in Mediterranean countries relying on satellite derived information on snow cover as major water source, to build national resilience for the efficient use of available water resources during water scarcity periods including flood preparedness and higher water use efficiency This water policy is apt to ensure the basic needs for sustainable agriculture and other social and industrial needs

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Conclusion