The dynamics of water yield: Case of Kuranji watershed, Padang City, West Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Land-use change is the main cause of high runoff in the Kuranji watershed and has social and economic impacts on the public. This study aims to determine the dynamics of watershed water yields and to formulate directions and recommendations for the management of the Kuranji watershed. The dynamics of the water yield in Kuranji watershed were analysed based on the SWAT hydrological model from the conservation area scenarios. The results showed the value of the dynamics water yield in Kuranji watershed is: reliability 0,79 with a duration of 290 days a year, resilience value 0,67 or 67% certainty of success of the watershed to return to normal conditions with a recovery period of 75 days a year and the average vulnerability is 389.466 m3/day. So that the form of a decision to be made with these conditions is that this area can be developed but the types of plants grown must be sensitive to water shortages. The direction and recommendations of the Kuranji watershed management on the future are to grow public awareness through the formation of public perceptions, conservation on target, continuous watershed conservation, public empowerment, and incentive policies governing payment for environmental services.