Title: Hydrological modelling of upper Ebonyi watershed using the SWAT model

Authors: E.L. Ndulue; G.I. Ezenne; C.C. Mbajiorgu; V. Ogwo; K.N. Ogbu

Addresses: Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit (EHSRU), Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit (EHSRU), Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit (EHSRU), Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit (EHSRU), Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract: In this study, soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was applied to the upper Ebonyi Watershed to simulate streamflow and sediment yield. Results of sensitivity analysis, model calibration and model validation showed that the SWAT model performed reasonably for this study area. Streamflow and sediment discharge predictions were calibrated and validated against the daily flow using observed data. The simulated daily flow fit the observed data for the calibrated period with R2, NSE and PBIAS values of 0.68, 0.58 and −0.871% respectively while the simulated daily sediment yield fit the observed data with R2, NSE and PBIAS values of 0.53, 0.51 and 24.11% respectively. For the validation period, the values of R2, NSE and PBIAS values are 0.747, 0.719 and 5.16% for streamflow while, the values of R2, NSE and PBIAS values are 0.647, 0.606 and 4.92% for sediment yield. Thus, SWAT is an effective tool for watershed management.

Keywords: hydrological modelling; soil and water assessment tool; SWAT; upper Ebonyi watershed.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2018.090894

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2018 Vol.8 No.2, pp.120 - 133

Received: 19 Apr 2016
Accepted: 11 Feb 2017

Published online: 03 Apr 2018 *

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