Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Adapting Sri Lanka to Climate Change: Approaches to Water Modelling in the Upper Mahaweli Catchment Area

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Climate Change Research at Universities

  • 1255 Accesses

Abstract

Water flow and water quality changes in surface water bodies due to climate change is a major problem worldwide, typically in river eco-systems. To address these issues, proper monitoring of river flow variations and water quality is necessary, but daily monitoring and data collection is greatly time consuming and costly. Therefore, a study was done with the objectives to calibrate and validate the HEC-HMS 3.5 and HEC-RAS 4.1.0 models to simulate flow variation and water quality variations respectively in Nillambe Oya, Sri Lanka. The development of such models are a significant requirement in the present scientific world to predict river flow and water quality variations as an adaptation for the climate change. The HEC-HMS 3.5 model was used to generate flow which is needed for HEC-RAS 4.1.0. Daily flow data for five years (from October 1991 to September 1996) were used to calibrate the HEC-HMS 3.5 model and another set of daily flow data for five years (from October 1994 to September 1999) were used to validate the model. HEC-RAS 4.1.0 model was calibrated using water quality data collected and analyzed in five days. The validity of the calibrated model was evaluated using water quality data collected in the other four days. The calibrated and validated HEC-HMS 3.5 model reliably predicted the flow in Nillambe Oya. The calibrated and validated HEC-RAS 4.1.0 model simulated Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N) splendidly. Orthophosphates was also predicted reliably by the model, but the simulation of organic Phosphorus was not that sensible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen, R. G., Pereira, L. S., Raes, D. and M. Smith, 1998. Crop evapotranspiration–Guidelines for computing crop water requirements—FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56. FAO—Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arekhi, S. 2012. Runoff modeling by HEC-HMS model (Case Study: Kan watershed, Iran). International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences 4(23): 1807–1811.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beasley, D. B., Huggins, L. F. and E. J. Monke, 1980. ANSWERS—a model for watershed planning. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineering 23: 938–944.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, N. D., Crokea, B. F. W., Guariso, G., Guillaume, J. H. A., Hamilton, S. H., Jakeman, A. J., Marsili-Libellic, S., Newhama, L. T. H., Nortona, J. P., Piercee, S. A., Robsonf, B., Seppeltg, R., Voinovh, A. A., Fathi, B. D. and V. Andreassiand, 2013. Characterising performance of environmental models. Environmental Modelling & Software 40: 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandrapala, L. 1996a. Calculation of areal precipitation of Sri Lanka on district basis using Voronoi Tessalation Method. Proceedings of National Symposium on Climate Change, Central Environmental Authority, Colombo, Sri Lanka. March 7–8, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandrapala, L. 1996b. Long term trends of rainfall and temperature in Sri Lanka. In: Climate Variability and Agriculture, Abrol, Y. P.; Gadgil, S.; Pant, G. B. (eds.). New Delhi, India: Narosa Publishing House. Pp 153–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chihhao, F., Chun-Han, K. and W. Wei-Shen, 2009. An innovative modeling approach using Qual2 K and HEC-RAS integration to assess the impact of tidal effect on River Water quality simulation. Journal of environmental management 90(5):1824–1832.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chihhao, F., Wang, W., Liu, K. F. and T. Yang, 2012. Sensitivity analysis and water quality modeling of a tidal river using a modified Streeter–Phelps equation with HEC-RAS-Calculated hydraulic characteristics; Environmental Modeling and Assessment 17(6): 639–651.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, C., Green, T. R. and A. J. Jakeman, 1999. An analytical model for stream sediment transport: application to Murray and Murrumbidgee reaches, Australia. Hydrological Processes 13(5): 763–776.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriyagama, N.; Smakhtin, V.; Chandrapala, L.; Fernando, K. 2010. Impacts of climate change on water resources and agriculture in Sri Lanka: a review and preliminary vulnerability mapping. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. 51p. (IWMI Research Report 135). doi:10.5337/2010.211

  • Fernando, T. K. 1997. Recent variations of rainfall and air temperature in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 53rd Annual Session of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLASS). Section E1. Pp. 318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franson. M. A. H., Clesceri, L. S., Greenberg, A. E. and R. R. Trussell, 2005. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Seventh edition, American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth street NW, Washington, DC 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halaj, P., Bárek, V., Báreková, A. and D. Halajová, 2013. Application of HEC-RAS water quality model to estimate contaminant spreading in small stream. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Materials, Methods & Technology 7(1): 482–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halwatura, D. and M. M. M. Najim, 2013. Application of the HEC-HMS model for runoff simulation in a tropical catchment, Environmental Modelling & Software Vol 46: 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herath, S.; Ratnayake, U. R. 2004. Monitoring rainfall trends to predict adverse impacts—a case study from Sri Lanka. Global Environmental Change 14: 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunukumbura, P. B., Weerakoon, S. B. and S. Herath, 2008. Runoff Modeling in the Upper Kotmale Basin. In: Traversing no man’s land, Interdisciplinary Essays in Honor of Professor MaddumaBandara (Hennayake, N., Rekha, N., Nawfhal, M.,Alagan, R. and C. Daskon, eds), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 169–184 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC. 2001. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, McCarthy, J.; Canziani, O.; Leary, N.; Dokken, D.; White, K. (eds). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jakeman, A., Littlewood, I. and P. Whitehead, 1990. Computation of the instantaneous unit hydrograph and identifiable component flows with application to two small upland catchments. Journal of Hydrology 117: 275–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayatillake, H. M;, Chandrapala, L.; Basnayake, B. R. S. B.; Dharmaratne, G. H. P. 2005. Water resources and climate change. Proceedings of Workshop on Sri Lanka National Water Development Report. Wijesekera, N. T. S.; Imbulana, K. A. U. S.; Neupane, B. eds. Paris, France: World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, M. R. and C. L. Lowney, 2004. Temperature modeling with HEC-RAS. In Critical Transitions in Water and Environmental Resources Management, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1–10 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, R. C., Davis, H. H., and J. C. Imhoff, 1980. User’s Manual for the Hydrologic Simulation Program—Fortran (HSPF) version No. 5.0, EPA-600/9–80-105. US EPA Environmental Research Laboratory, Athens, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalita, D. N. 2008. A Study of Basin Response Using HEC-HMS and Subzone Reports of CWC. In: Proceedings of the 13th National Symposium on Hydrology. National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knisel, W. G. 1980. A Field Scale Model for Chemicals, Runoff and Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems. United States Department of Agriculture Research Report 1980, USDA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly, D. 1980. The interrelationship between natural mortality, growth parameters, and mean environmental temperature in 175 fish stocks. Journal of International Exploration 39(2): 175–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punyawardena, B.V.R. 2008. Agro Ecological Regions of Sri Lanka. Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratnayake, U., Sachindra, D. A. and K. D. W. Nandalal, 2010.Rainfall forecasting for flood prediction in the Nilwala basin, International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2010), Kandy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sardoii, E. R., Rostami, N., Sigaroudi, S. K. and S. Taheri, 2012. Calibration of loss estimation methods in HEC-HMS for simulation of surface runoff (Case Study: Amirkabir Dam Watershed, Iran). Advances in Environmental Biology 6(1): 343–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shantha, W. W. A.; Jayasundara J. M. S. B. 2005. Study on changes of rainfall in the Mahaweli upper watershed in Sri Lanka due to climatic changes and develop a correction model for global warming. Paper presented at the International Symposium on the Stabilisation of Greenhouse Gas Concentrations. Hadley Centre, Met Office, Exeter, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons, M., Podger, G. and R. Cooke, 1996. IQQM—a hydrologic modelling tool for water resource and salinity management. Environmental Software 11(1): 185–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivapalan, M. and N. R. Viney, 1999. A conceptual model of sediment transport: application to the Avon River Basin in Western Australia. Hydrological Processes 13: 727–743.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suliman, A. H. 2010. Using HEC-RAS and qual2e to assess Johor River water quality. Doctoral dissertation, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, Bungi, Malaysia.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Environmental Protection Agency 1994. SWRRBWQ Window’s interface users guide. Washington, D.C. 20460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vertessey, R. A., Watson, F. G. R., Rahman, J. M., Cuddy, S. D., Seaton, S. P., Chiew, F. H., Scanlon, P. J., Marston, F. M., Lymbuner, L., Jeanelle, S. and M. Verbunt, 2001. New software to aid water quality management in the catchments and waterways of the south-east Queensland region. In: Proceedings of the Third Australian Stream Management Conference, 611–616 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, F., Seaton, S. and J. Rahman, 2001. Deploying environmental software using the Tarsier modelling framework. In: Proceedings of the Third Australian Stream Management Conference, 631–638 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, M. 2013. Uganda Manafwa River early flood warning system development hydrologic watershed modeling using HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, ArcGIS. Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yilma, H. and S. A. Moges, 2007. Application of Semi-Distributed Conceptual Hydrological Model for Flow Forecasting on Upland Catchments of Blue Nile River Basin, A Case Study of GilgelAbbay Catchment. Catchment and Lake Research, 200 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Anderson, W. P., Bosch, D. D. and C. A. Onstad, 1987. AGNPS, agricultural nonpoint source pollution. A watershed analysis tool. In: Conservation Research Report 35. US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. and B. Johnson, 2012. Aquatic nutrient simulation modules (NSM). ERDC/EL-12-X, Draft, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Centre, Vicksburg, MS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. and M. Wu, 2013. Evaluating the transport and fate of nutrients in large scale river basins using an integrated modelling system. In: Landscape Ecology for Sustainable Environment and Culture (Fu, B. and K. Bruce Jones, eds), Springer, 10:187–204.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Our heartfelt thanks go to the Director General, Department of Meteorology and Director General of the Mahaweli Authority for providing us meteorological data and flow data, respectively.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Horizon Campus, Malabe, Sri Lanka

    M. P. Gunawardena

  2. Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

    M. M. M. Najim

Authors
  1. M. P. Gunawardena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. M. M. Najim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. P. Gunawardena .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg Univ of Applied Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gunawardena, M.P., Najim, M.M.M. (2017). Adapting Sri Lanka to Climate Change: Approaches to Water Modelling in the Upper Mahaweli Catchment Area. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Climate Change Research at Universities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58214-6_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation