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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Long-term runoff analysis of the upper Blue Nile River using a distributed water balance model

Tanakamaru H. , S. Matsumoto , A. Tada and T. Hata

 
Abstract:

It is important for the lower Nile riparian countries to estimate discharge from the Nile basin with reliable accuracy and manage limited water resources effectively, as their water use depends on the Nile River. In this study, long-term runoff analysis of the upper Blue Nile River was carried out using a grid type distributed water balance model. The study area comprises the Blue Nile watershed upstream of the Roseires Dam (175,000 km2). The basin is divided into 58 grids of 0.5 degree latitude and 0.5 degree longitude. The precipitation and potential evapotranspiration of each grid were estimated by liner interpolation of meteorological data of 10 observation stations in and around the basin. Daily runoff and actual evapotranspiration from each grid were calculated by using the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) water balance model developed by Wood et al. (1992). Results showed that the simulated 10-day average discharges of 16 years were in good agreement with the observed ones except for peak discharges of 6 years. The spatial distribution of water balance in the upper Blue Nile was also examined.


 

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 10  (2007) PP. 11-19