Title: Prediction of ungauged river basin for hydropower potential and flood risk mitigation: a case study at Gin River, Sri Lanka

Authors: A.S. Ratnayake; A. Pitawala

Addresses: Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Faculty of Science, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka ' Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Faculty of Science, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract: A hydrologic study was performed for ungauged river basin of Sri Lanka to examine synthetic discharge relations. Rainfall-runoff relationships were used for identifying hydrological conditions of the Gin River basin. The peak discharge achieves within 4.74 hours from the onset of the rainstorm and 11.95 hours take to reach its normal discharge conditions. Stream frequency of the Gin River is 4.56 junctions/km² while the channel slope gradient is 7.90 m/km. The regional coefficient of the catchment is 0.00296. Higher stream frequency and gentle channel slope were identified as flood triggering factors of the basin. Mini-hydropower systems were recognised as the most applicable and economical flood controlling hydraulic structures. Also, it can be utilised as a reliable energy source (8,630.0 kW).

Keywords: ungauged basins; flood studies report; flooding; triangular irregular networks; geographic information systems; GIS; disaster mitigation; mini-hydro power; Gin River; Sri Lanka; hydropower potential; flood risk mitigation; case study; hydrology; rainfall; runoff; flood triggers; flood control.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2014.065015

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2014 Vol.15 No.4, pp.203 - 214

Accepted: 22 Apr 2014
Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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