Rainfall-runoff estimation of Bojiang lake watershed using SCS-CN model coupled with GIS for watershed management

Abstract

A proper understanding of watershed spatio-temporal hydrological characteristics is critical to the management of a watershed and its natural resources such as water and vegetation. Rainfall runoff estimation plays an important role as an integral part of watershed management. Runoff volume and distribution data provides valuable information for water management strategies such as selection of artificial water abstraction sites, water storage facilities, and soil erosion control strategies. In the present study Bojiang lake watershed was used to indicate the application of Soil Conservation Service Curve Number method (SCS-CN) coupled with Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques. The watershed falls within Erdos Larus Relictus National Nature Reserve (ELRNNR) which was listed under the wetlands of international importance in 2002. Rainfall runoff is influenced by a variety of factors within a watershed such as soil and land use/cover types, soil moisture content, rainfall, drainage density, and shape and size of the watershed. The SCS Curve number is the most popular and widely applied method for runoff estimation. GIS and Remote Sensing play an important role in estimating surface runoff by SCS-CN method. ArcGIS 10.2 software was used to overlay different thematic layers and develop an attribute table and calculate a weighted curve number. The weighted curve number was applied to the SCS-CN equations to estimate daily, monthly, and yearly runoff. Correlation coefficient (r) was used to test for the relationship between rainfall and runoff, and verify the computation of the method. The results show an average runoff of 17.78 mm which is about 7.18% of the annual average rainfall for the years 2001-2016. The derived output maps can assist in identifying suitable areas for water recharge/abstraction. The study demonstrates that SCS-CN in conjunction with GIS and RS can be used to calculate runoff for ungagged watersheds and assist in watershed management strategies.