Assessment of sediment yield and water quality for two neighbouring watersheds in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Abstract

Accurate estimation of sediment yield and water quality in a watershed may assist watershed managers to make correct and appropriate decisions. In this study, two neighbouring watersheds (Goksun and Hurman) located in south of Kahramanmaras, Turkey were evaluated in terms of their average annual sediment yield and water quality. The differences between these watersheds with respect to sediment yield and water quality were compared and then the reasons behind these differences were investigated. The climatic (precipitation, temperature) and some of the physiographic (elevation, area) characteristics were similar in both neighbouring watersheds. Therefore, three factors including ground slope, land use, and soil type were determined to evaluate sediment yield and water quality for both neighbouring watersheds. The results indicated that forests reduced sediment yield by tolerating negative consequences of other factors in the watershed areas. On the other hand, water quality was found to be low in a watershed area with relatively dense forest cover. The reason for this contradiction can be explained with effect of intense urbanization and consequent increase of population in the watershed.