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Hydrological modelling using the distributed hydrological model CEQUEAU in a semi-arid mountainous area: a case study of Ourika watershed, Marrakech Atlas, Morocco

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Abstract

The Hydrological modelling in a semi-arid mountainous area is very challenging due to the irregular climate and the spatial variability of vegetation cover and topography. The hydrological model CEQUEAU was used with a daily time step on the arid and semi-arid mountainous region of the Ourika watershed. The capability of the model to simulate the daily streamflow was evaluated. The sensitivity analysis was carried out to understand which parameters had the largest influence on model outputs. The results show that the calibration and validation simulations of the daily stream flows could be considered satisfactory. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that each of the model parameters (snowmelt and soil parameters) had a certain degree of influence on model Behaviour. The model was more sensitive to Threshold of rain-snow transformation (STRNE), Infiltration coefficient in the LOWER ZONE reservoir (CIN) and Infiltration threshold of the UPPER ZONE reservoir towards the LOWER ZONE reservoir (HINF) parameters. However, the Coefficient taken away at a potential rate by evapotranspiration (HPOT) parameters of low draining of the LOWER ZONE reservoir (CVNB), Intermediate draining threshold of the UPPER ZONE reservoir (HINT), Threshold of high draining of the LOWER ZONE reservoir (HNAP) and Threshold of water, had no significant influence on the model performance in relation to the Nash criterion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GeoStructures, Geomaterials and Hydric Resources Laboratory GEOHYD, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, PB. 2390, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Fatima Fniguire

  2. GeoStructures, Geomaterials and Hydric Resources Laboratory GEOHYD, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, PB. 2390, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Nour-Eddine Laftouhi, Hicham El Himer & Nourddine Khalil

  3. Scientific Institute, Mohammed V. University, Rabat, Morocco

    Afrah Saad Al-Mahfadi

  4. Georesources, Geoenvironment and Civil Engineering Laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Mohamed Elmehdi Saidi

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  1. Fatima Fniguire
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  2. Nour-Eddine Laftouhi
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  3. Afrah Saad Al-Mahfadi
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Correspondence to Fatima Fniguire.

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Fniguire, F., Laftouhi, NE., Al-Mahfadi, A.S. et al. Hydrological modelling using the distributed hydrological model CEQUEAU in a semi-arid mountainous area: a case study of Ourika watershed, Marrakech Atlas, Morocco. Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr 7, 89–102 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-021-00287-y

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