Meteorological Water Balance of Khan Al-Baghdadi and surrounding area within Anbar Governorate – West of Iraq.

Abstract

The water balance equation for any natural area or water body indicates the relative values of inflow, outflow and change in water storage for the area or water body. Analysis of watersheds and drainage patterns of the studied area plays a vital role in understanding the hydrogeological behavior and expressing the prevailing climate, geomorphology and structural antecedents of terrains. This research will study the climate characteristics and meteorological water balance to calculate runoff and groundwater recharge as water surplus. The research used the meteorological parameters recorded in Hit station during the period (1995-2010) to describe climate conditions as well as calculating water surplus using Thorntwaite formula. The climate of area classified as hot dry in summer and cold low rainfall in winter as a continental semi-dry to dry climate class. The calculated potential evapotranspiration was (1174.3) mm, while calculated actual evapotranspiration was (69.59) mm. The amount of water surplus was (31.71) mm, divided into (20.26) mm as runoff and (11.45) mm as groundwater recharge. The average annual of groundwater recharge in the area was (72,020,500) cubic meters. The estimated percent of the water surplus and deficit from the annual rainfall was (31.3%) and (68.69%) respectively.