Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rainfall–Runoff Processes and Modeling: The Case of Meja Watershed in the Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscape Dynamics, Soils and Hydrological Processes in Varied Climates

Part of the book series: Springer Geography ((SPRINGERGEOGR))

  • 4961 Accesses

Abstract

Understanding the basic relationships among rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, and groundwater level are vital for effective and sustainable water resources planning and management. The current study was conducted to understand the dynamics of the hydrological processes and model rainfall–runoff relationship in Meja watershed in the Upper Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia. Meja watershed is part of the three research sites of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) developed in early 2010. The study utilized primary data of soil moisture, shallow groundwater level, rainfall and runoff collected from the hydrological monitoring networks in the watershed. Hydrological models, Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) and Rainfall Runoff Library Soil Moisture Accounting and Routing (RRL SMAR), were configured to understand the relationship between rainfall and runoff in the watershed. Relationships among rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, and groundwater level were developed to understand the dynamics of hydrological processes in the watershed.

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 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
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

  • Abtew W, Melesse AM (2014a) Nile River basin hydrology. In: Melesse AM, Abtew W, Setegn S (eds) Nile River basin: ecohydrological challenges, climate change and hydropolitics, pp 7–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Abtew W, Melesse AM (2014b) Climate teleconnections and water management. In: Nile River basin, pp 685–705. Springer International Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Abtew W, Melesse AM (2014c) Transboundary Rivers and the Nile. In: Nile River basin, pp 565–579. Springer International Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Abtew W, Melesse A, Desalegn T (2009a) Spatial, inter and intra-annual variability of the Blue Nile River basin rainfall. Hydrol Process 23(21):3075–3082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abtew W, Melesse AM, Desalegn T (2009b) El Niño Southern Oscillation link to the Blue Nile River basin hydrology. Hydrol Process 23(26):3653–3660 (Special Issue: Nile Hydrology)

    Google Scholar 

  • Assefa A, Melesse AM, Admasu S (2014) Climate change in Upper Gilgel Abay River catchment, Ethiopia. In: Melesse AM, Abtew W, Setegn S (eds) Nile River basin: ecohydrological challenges, climate change and hydropolitics, pp 363–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayalew S (2007) Variations of climate change impacts in different hydro-climatologic regimes of the Nile basin: a case study of Gilgel Abbay in the Blue Nile Sub-basin and two low land reaches (Baro and Sudd). Arba Minch University

    Google Scholar 

  • Behulu F, Setegn S, Melesse AM, Fiori A (2013) Hydrological analysis of the Upper Tiber basin: a watershed modeling approach. Hydrol Process 27(16):2339–2351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behulu F, Setegn S, Melesse AM, Romano E, Fiori A (2014) Impact of climate change on the hydrology of Upper Tiber River basin using bias corrected regional climate model. Water Resour Manage 28:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blume T, Zehe E, Bronstert A (2007) Use of soil moisture dynamics and patterns for the investigation of runoff generation processes with emphasis on preferential flow. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 4:2587–2624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buytaert W, Celleri R, Willems P, Bievre B, Guido W (2000) Spatial and temporal rainfall variability in mountainous areas: a case study from the South Ecuadorian Ande

    Google Scholar 

  • Chebud Y, Melesse AM (2013) Stage level, volume, and time-frequency change information content of Lake Tana using Stochastic Approaches. Hydrol Process 27(10):1475–1483. doi:10.1002/hyp.9291

    Google Scholar 

  • Chebud YA, Melesse AM (2009a) Numerical modeling of the groundwater flow system of the Gumera sub-basin in Lake Tana basin, Ethiopia. Hydrol Process 23(26):3694–3704 (Special Issue: Nile Hydrology)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chebud YA, Melesse AM (2009b) Modeling Lake stage and water balance of Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Hydrol Process 23(25):3534–3544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David G (2003) Rainfall–runoff processes. Utah State University, Logan

    Google Scholar 

  • Dessu SB, Melesse AM, Bhat M, McClain M (2014) Assessment of water resources availability and demand in the Mara River basin. CATENA 115:104–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dessu SB, Melesse AM (2012) Modeling the rainfall–runoff process of the Mara River basin using SWAT. Hydrol Process 26(26):4038–4049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dessu SB, Melesse AM (2013) Impact and uncertainties of climate change on the hydrology of the Mara River basin. Hydrol Process 27(20):2973–2986

    Google Scholar 

  • Getachew HE, Melesse AM (2012) Impact of land use/land cover change on the hydrology of Angereb Watershed, Ethiopia. Int J Water Sci 1(4):1–7. doi:10.5772/56266

  • Grey OP, Webber Dale G, Setegn SG, Melesse AM (2013) Application of the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT Model) on a small tropical island state (Great River Watershed, Jamaica) as a tool in integrated watershed and coastal zone management. Int J Trop Biol Conserv 62(3):293–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Goovaerts P (2000) Geostatistical approaches for incorporating elevation into the spatial interpolation of rainfall. J Hydrol 228:113–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jakeman A, Hornberger M (1993) How much complexity is warranted in rainfall–runoff? Water Resour Res 29:2637–2649

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumela T (2011) Performance comparison of conceptual rainfall–runoff models on Muger catchment (Abay River basin). M.Sc., theses, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Latron J, Gallart F (2008) Runoff generation processes in a small Mediterranean research Catchment (Vallcebre, Eastern Pyrenees). J Hydrol 358:206–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manfreda S, Di Santo G, Iacobellis V, Fiorentino M (2003) A regional analysis of rainfall pattern in Southern Italy. In: Proceedings of the fourth European Graduate School Plinius conference held at Mallorca, Spain

    Google Scholar 

  • Mango L, Melesse AM, McClain ME, Gann D, Setegn SG (2011a) Land use and climate change impacts on the hydrology of the upper Mara River basin, Kenya: results of a modeling study to support better resource management. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 15:2245–2258 (Special Issue: Climate, weather and hydrology of East African Highlands). doi:10.5194/hess-15-2245-2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Mango L, Melesse AM, McClain ME, Gann D, Setegn SG (2011b) Hydro-meteorology and water budget of Mara River basin, Kenya: a land use change scenarios analysis. In: Melesse A (ed) Nile River basin: hydrology, climate and water use, Chapter 2. Springer Science Publisher, Berlin, pp 39–68. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0689-7_2

    Google Scholar 

  • Melesse AM (2011) Nile River basin: hydrology, climate and water use. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Melesse A, Abtew W, Setegn SG (2014) Nile River basin: ecohydrological challenges, climate change and hydropolitics. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Melesse A, Abtew W, Setegn S, Dessalegne T (2011) Hydrological variability and climate of the Upper Blue Nile River basin. In: Melesse A (ed) Nile River basin: hydrology, climate and water use, Chapter 1. Springer Science Publisher, Berlin, pp 3–37. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0689-7_1

    Google Scholar 

  • Melesse A, Abtew W, Desalegne T, Wang X (2010) Low and high flow analysis and wavelet application for characterization of the Blue Nile River system. Hydrol Process 24(3):241–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed H, Alamirew T, Assen M, Melesse AM (2015) Modeling of sediment yield in Maybar gauged watershed using SWAT, Northeast Ethiopia. CATENA 127:191–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moriasi D, Arnold J, Van Liew M, Bingner R, Harmel R, Veith T (2007) Model evaluation guidelines for systematic quantification of accuracy in watershed simulations. Am Soc Agric Biol Eng 50(3):885–900

    Google Scholar 

  • Noguchi S, Nik AR, Yusop Z, Tani M, Sammori T (1997) Rainfall–runoff response and role of soil moisture variation to the response in tropical rainforest, Biket Tarek, Peninsular Malaysia. J For Res 2:125–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Setegn SG, Melesse AM, Haiduk A, Webber D, Wang X, McClain M (2014) Spatiotemporal distribution of fresh water availability in the Rio Cobre Watershed, Jamaica. CATENA 120:81–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sklash M, Farvolden R (1979) The role of groundwater in storm runoff. J Hydrol 43:45–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Shang S, Yang W, Melesse AM (2008a) Simulation of an agricultural watershed using an improved curve number method in SWAT. Tans Am Soc Agric Bio Eng 51(4):1323–1339

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Yang W, Melesse AM (2008b) Using hydrologic equivalent wetland concept within SWAT to estimate streamflow in watersheds with numerous wetlands. Tans Am Soc Agric Bio Eng 51(1):55–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Melesse AM, Yang W (2006) Influences of potential evapotranspiration estimation methods on SWAT’s hydrologic simulation in a Northwestern Minnesota Watershed. Trans ASAE 49(6):1755–1771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Melesse AM (2006) Effects of STATSGO and SSURGO as inputs on SWAT model’s Snowmelt simulation. J Am Water Res Assoc 42(5):1217–1236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Melesse AM (2005) Evaluations of the SWAT model’s Snowmelt hydrology in a Northwestern Minnesota Watershed. Trans ASAE 48(4):1359–1376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Garza J, Whitney M, Melesse AM, Yang W (2008c) Prediction of sediment source areas within watersheds as affected by soil data resolution. In: Findley PN (ed) Environmental modelling: new research, Chapter 7. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY 11788, pp 151–185. ISBN 978-1-60692-034-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheater S, Langan S, Brown A, Beck B (1991) Hydrological response of the Allt Mharcaidh catchment—inferences from experimental plots. J Hydrol 123:163–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woinishet H (2009) Daily rainfall–runoff modeling for Beles River catchment. Masters theses, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Google Scholar 

  • Yitayew M, Melesse AM (2011) Critical water resources management issues in Nile River basin. In: Melesse A (ed) Nile River basin: hydrology, climate and water use, Chapter 20. Springer Science Publisher, pp 401–416. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0689-7_20

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemadim B, Matthew MC, Bharat SM, Abeyou W (2011) Integrated rainwater management strategies in the of the Ethiopian highlands. Int J Water Res Environ Eng 3(10):220–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemadim B, McCartney M, Sharma B (2012) Establishing hydrological and meteorological monitoring networks in Jeldu, Diga and Fogera Districts of the, Ethiopia report produced for challenge program on water and food Nile project 2: integrated rainwater management strategies—technologies, institutions and policies: 56 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemadim B, McCartney M, Langan S, Sharma B (2013) A participatory approach for hydro meteorological monitoring in the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 32 p. (IWMI research report 155)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the International Water Management Institute for the Hydrological and Meteorological data and National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia for the additional meteorological data used in this study. This chapter is based on the masters thesis of the first author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Solomon Berhane

  2. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), West and Central Africa, Bamako, Mali

    Birhanu Zemadim

  3. Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Assefa M. Melesse

Authors
  1. Solomon Berhane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Birhanu Zemadim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Assefa M. Melesse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Birhanu Zemadim .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth & Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA

    Assefa M. Melesse

  2. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

    Wossenu Abtew

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Berhane, S., Zemadim, B., Melesse, A.M. (2016). Rainfall–Runoff Processes and Modeling: The Case of Meja Watershed in the Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia. In: Melesse, A., Abtew, W. (eds) Landscape Dynamics, Soils and Hydrological Processes in Varied Climates. Springer Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18787-7_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation