Abstract
AbstractEffective runoff modeling in the Niger basin has been hampered by inadequate and deteriorating amount of reliable observation stations. Satellite-based rainfall products have increasingly been considered an important component in addressing these data gaps. We compared the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) one degree daily estimate and interim reanalysis data of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) named ERA-Interim rainfall estimates with observed rainfall. The suitability of the two rainfall products for runoff modeling was also assessed. Rainfall data were averaged over a well gauged catchment (Sota) and compared. They were subsequently used to calibrate a hydrological model and their modeling efficiencies were evaluated. The better of the two datasets was subsequently used in regional simulation on 10 Niger basin catchments. GPCP rainfall estimates had good fit to observed rainfall with Nash values of 0.93, 0.94 and 0.84 for monthly, seasonal and daily c...
Highlights
The Niger River Basin, home to over 100 million people, is a vital and complex asset for West Africa which has highly variable water resources
This study evaluates the potential of using rainfall products derived from remote sensing to simulate river discharge at both regional and local perspectives
Even with no change in precipitation, the availability of per capita renewable water resources in the basin is declining as a result of a large population growth; the population in the basin is expected to double from 94 million in 2005 to over 150 million by the year 2050, and competing demands have led to challenges in water allocation among different users and countries (Ogilvie et al, 2010)
Summary
The Niger River Basin, home to over 100 million people, is a vital and complex asset for West Africa which has highly variable water resources. In the past 50 years, a 10 to 30% decrease in mean annual rainfall in the basin has led to a reduction of 20 to 60% in river discharge (Oyebande & Odunuga, 2010). Even with no change in precipitation, the availability of per capita renewable water resources in the basin is declining as a result of a large population growth; the population in the basin is expected to double from 94 million in 2005 to over 150 million by the year 2050, and competing demands have led to challenges in water allocation among different users and countries (Ogilvie et al, 2010). The recently identified “Sahelian paradox” which is an observed runoff increase in some of the basin’s Sahelian catchments such as in Nakanbe (Burkina Faso), Sirba (Niger) and Mekrou (Benin) despite a decrease in rainfall (Descroix et al, 2009) is an important challenge for modeling water availability in the basin. A sustainable management strategy is needed to cope with challenges arising from increases in water demand and changes in the variability of supply in the basin
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