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Quantifying flow rate using stage-discharge rating curve and Scs runoff equation on upland watershed of Lake Tana Sub Basin, Ethiopia

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Abstract

In the Tana sub-basin, there is a practical knowledge deficit in the development of stage-discharge rating curves utilizing the salt dilution approach. Even though there are lots of discharge measurement techniques in the gauged watershed, which are difficult, expensive and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to develop a stage-discharge rating curve and identify the geographic variance of runoff in three micro watersheds in the Tana Subbasin: Enkulal from Gummara, Toma from Gigel Abay, and Guale(2u) from Rib watershed. To develop the stage-discharge rating curve and to quantify the spatial variation of runoff, the rainfall, stage and discharge data were recorded over a certain period. Discharge data were collected using salt dilution and floating methods while the stage data were recorded using staff gauge at each stream from June 2019 to September 2019. In each micro watershed, the stage and discharge relationship were created utilizing the power and polynomial equation with a very good determination coefficient (R2). The discharge obtained using the floating method did not differ statistically from that expected using the salt dilution method. At the outlet of Toma, Guale (2u), and Enkulal micro watersheds, the SCS equation produced a better correlation of measured and simulated runoff with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.97, 0.94, and 0.98, respectively. The average effective available storage was obtained as 22, 24 and 45 mm and the corresponding curve number value were 92, 91 and 85 for Toma, Guale and Enkulal, micro watersheds, respectively. On the other hand, the curve numbers with regard to land use, hydrological condition and soil groups were found as 85, 84, 85 for Toma, Guale and Enkulal micro watersheds, respectively. The area that contributed runoff was ranged from 87% of the total area of the micro watershed during high rainfall periods and smaller than 51% of the total area of the micro watershed in low rainfall periods.

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Data availability

The required data collected for analysis are included in the manuscript. The corresponding author is ready to clarify the data and provides all the necessary data sets as per the request.

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Acknowledgements

I would after all. I'd like to thank God for making it possible for me to start and finish my task. I'd want to express my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Seifu Adimasu, for his guidance, support, and encouragement and Dr. Adugnaw Taddesse, Co-Advisor, for his unreserved advice, support, his valuable comments and guidance for the completion of this thesis. Abebaw Yeniew and all data collectors (Ato Awoke Asmare, Ato Endeshaw and W/ro Liyu Taddesse) who helped me a lot during fieldwork. I'd like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Debre Tabor University's Technology faculty for providing me with the opportunity to pursue my M.Sc. And I would like to say thanks to the West Amhara meteorological center, for their donation of climate data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia

    Yibeltal Zewdu Kumlachew, Eshetu Adane Kibret, Niway Asrat Alemie & Moges Animut

  2. Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Seifu Adimasu Tilahun & Adugnaw Taddesse Akale

  3. Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia

    Fasikaw Fentie Cherie

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  1. Yibeltal Zewdu Kumlachew
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  2. Seifu Adimasu Tilahun
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  3. Fasikaw Fentie Cherie
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  4. Adugnaw Taddesse Akale
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  5. Eshetu Adane Kibret
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  6. Niway Asrat Alemie
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  7. Moges Animut
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Correspondence to Yibeltal Zewdu Kumlachew.

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Conflict of interest

We here submitted the manuscript entitled “Quantifying Flow Rate Using Stage Discharge Rating Curve and SCS Runoff Equation On Upland Watershed of Lake Tana Sub Basin, Ethiopia” to be considered for publication. We declare that this is our original research work. There is no conflict of interest between the authors.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in the study. I understand that journals may be available in both print and on the internet, and will be available to a broader audience through marketing channels and other third parties. Therefore, anyone can read material published in the Journal.

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Kumlachew, Y.Z., Tilahun, S.A., Cherie, F.F. et al. Quantifying flow rate using stage-discharge rating curve and Scs runoff equation on upland watershed of Lake Tana Sub Basin, Ethiopia. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 9, 47 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00793-z

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