Potential assessment of calibration approaches using the SWAT hydrological model for streamflow and sediment yield for a large-scale catchment

ABSTRACT

This study explored the potential of three calibration approaches – single-site, multisite, and multisite–multivariable – to simulate the streamflow and sediment yield of the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) river basin using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Several statistical indices were used to verify the SWAT model performance. While all three approaches reasonably estimate the streamflow and sediment yield, the multisite calibration approach was found to perform better in handling the spatial variability of parameters and their influence on streamflow and sediment yield over the entire catchment. Further, evaluations of hydropower potential at the selected location were conducted to demonstrate the importance of calibration approaches in planning and designing various water resource structures.

KEYWORDS:

• flow duration curves
• hydropower and hydraulic structures
• single-site calibration
• multisite calibration
• Upper Blue Nile

Editor A. Fiori; Associate Editor S. Dutta

Editor A. Fiori; Associate Editor S. Dutta

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Electricity (MoWIE) of Ethiopia for providing climate and hydrological (streamflow and sediment) data. The authors are also very grateful to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the Landsat images and DEM data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Availability of data

Upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, with the permission of the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Electricity of Ethiopia, the data used for the modelling will be shared for research purposes.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.