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2 pages, 175 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial to the Special Issue “Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries”

by Alain Dezetter and Alessio Radice

Hydrology 2023, 10(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10020039 - 31 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Most of the global population lives in developing countries that are highly prone to hydrological phenomena (such as monsoons, floods, cyclones, droughts, aridity, etc [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

Research

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19 pages, 2635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Streamflow Analysis in Data-Scarce Kabompo River Basin, Southern Africa, for the Potential of Small Hydropower Projects under Changing Climate

by George Z. Ndhlovu and Yali E. Woyessa

Hydrology 2022, 9(8), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9080149 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2900

Abstract

In developing countries with data scarcity challenges, an integrated approach is required to enhance the estimation of streamflow variability for the design of water supply systems, hydropower generation, environmental flows, water allocation and pollution studies. The Flow Duration Curve (FDC) was adopted as [...] Read more.

In developing countries with data scarcity challenges, an integrated approach is required to enhance the estimation of streamflow variability for the design of water supply systems, hydropower generation, environmental flows, water allocation and pollution studies. The Flow Duration Curve (FDC) was adopted as a tool that is influenced by topography, land use land cover, discharge and climate change. The data from Global Climate Model (GCM) projections, based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios, were used as input data for the SWAT model for the simulation of streamflow. The FDCs were then derived from the simulated streamflow. The FDC for RCP 4.5 showed insignificant differences, whilst for RCP 8.5 it showed an increase of 5–10% in FDC from the baseline period, which is likely to increase the hydropower generation potential with some considerable streamflow variability. The integrated approach of utilizing FDC, GIS and SWAT for the estimation of flow variability and hydropower generation potential could be useful in data scarce regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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20 pages, 7027 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Is Greenhouse Rainwater Harvesting Enough to Satisfy the Water Demand of Indoor Crops? Application to the Bolivian Altiplano

by Juan-Manuel Sayol, Veriozka Azeñas, Carlos E. Quezada, Isabel Vigo and Jean-Paul Benavides López

Hydrology 2022, 9(6), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9060107 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3251

Abstract

As many other regions worldwide, the Bolivian Altiplano has to cope with water scarcity during dry periods, which in turn impacts on crop production as flood irrigation is overwhelmingly extended in the region. Since farming is the main income in the Altiplano for [...] Read more.

As many other regions worldwide, the Bolivian Altiplano has to cope with water scarcity during dry periods, which in turn impacts on crop production as flood irrigation is overwhelmingly extended in the region. Since farming is the main income in the Altiplano for most families, the availability of greenhouses with water harvesting systems may represent a solution to warrant all year round production and food access. We study the daily satisfied water demand from a balance between rainfall collected by a greenhouse roof and water used for indoor crop irrigation assuming a tank is available for water storage. This balance is analyzed for 25 greenhouses spread over Batallas Municipality, close to Titicaca Lake, Bolivia, and for two case studies: (i) using irrigation data collected from farmers in the frame of a regional project; (ii) using theoretical daily water requirements assuming an intense greenhouse farming. Our evaluation includes a sensitivity analysis of relevant parameters, such as the influence of the time window of rainfall used in the simulation, the runoff coefficient, the roof surface area, the irrigation drip system, the irrigation frequency, the crop coefficient, the volume of water used for crop irrigation, and the capacity of the water tank. Overall, we find that the runoff coefficient has little impact on the satisfied demand rate, while all other parameters can play an important role depending on the greenhouse considered. Some greenhouses are able to irrigate crops normally during the wet season, while during the dry season, greenhouses are not able to satisfy more than

50 %

of the theoretical water requirements, even when large tanks are considered. Based on these results, we recommend the construction of greenhouses with a ground surface of <50

m^{2}

attached to the largest available covered water tank. The information here provided can be used by stakeholders to decide their policies of investment in infrastructures in the Altiplano. Finally, the approach we follow can be applied to any other region where rainfall, temperature, and greenhouse data are available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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13 pages, 5190 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of Climate Change on the Water Supply and Hydraulic Conditions in the Upper Pejibaye River Basin, Cartago, Costa Rica

by Fernando Watson-Hernández, Isabel Guzmán-Arias, Laura Chavarría-Pizarro and Francisco Quesada-Alvarado

Hydrology 2022, 9(5), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9050076 - 4 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2956

Abstract

The consequences of climate change have challenged researchers to generate models and projections to understand climate behavior under different scenarios. In Costa Rica, as in other countries, climate-change (CC) models and projections are essential to make decisions about the management of natural resources, [...] Read more.

The consequences of climate change have challenged researchers to generate models and projections to understand climate behavior under different scenarios. In Costa Rica, as in other countries, climate-change (CC) models and projections are essential to make decisions about the management of natural resources, mainly water. To understand climate change’s impact on hydraulic parameters such as velocity, depth, and river surface area, we studied the Pejibaye river basin, located in Jiménez in Cartago, Costa Rica. This watershed is characterized by having more than 90% of its surface area covered by forest. We used the precipitation and temperature data from meteorological stations (2000 to 2009) and climate-change scenarios (2000–2099) to predict the response of the basin in different periods. First, we calibrated (NSE = 0.77) and validated (NSE = 0.81) the HBV hydrological model using ten years of daily data from 2000 to 2009. The climate-change data (2000–2099) were incorporated into the calibrated HBV model. This allowed us to determine the impact of CC on the basin water regime for the periods 2040–2059 (CCS1) and 2080–2099 (CCS2). The IBER mathematical model was used to determine the changes in the hydraulic variables of the river flow. For the CCS1, we determined a 10.9% decrease in mean velocity and a 0.1-meter decrease in depth, while for CCS2, the effect will be an 11.3% reduction in mean velocity and a 0.14-meter decrease in depth. The largest decreases in river surface area per kilometer will occur in May (1710 m²) for CCS1 and April (2250 m²) for CCS2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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12 pages, 3755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correction of Empirical Equations Known as “Strickler-Type” for the Calculation of the Manning’s Roughness Coefficient for Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Conditions

by Valeria Serrano-Núñez, Fernando Watson-Hernández, Isabel Guzmán-Arias, Laura Chavarría-Pizarro and Francisco Quesada-Alvarado

Hydrology 2022, 9(5), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9050071 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

When using numerical models for hydraulic simulations of rivers, calibration is key to be able to reflect accurately the interaction of water flow in the channel and to make it resemble what is observed. In this study, a calibrated two-dimensional hydraulic model was [...] Read more.

When using numerical models for hydraulic simulations of rivers, calibration is key to be able to reflect accurately the interaction of water flow in the channel and to make it resemble what is observed. In this study, a calibrated two-dimensional hydraulic model was created for two control paths located in the Ahogados and Tempisquito rivers. Paths were analyzed morphologically from a grain-size analysis and the different roughness coefficients were calculated through a numerical model using the empirical equations known as “Strickler-type” as a first approximation and later adjustment by a factor obtained from comparing the observed and simulated data. It was identified that both paths are mountain rivers with beds of coarse material, mostly boulders (cobble gravel) and pebble gravel. Calibrated roughness coefficients were determined with an error percentage between the area of the pattern formed by the simulated and observed of less than 10%, and new empirical equations adjusted to the characteristics of the riverbeds were formulated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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24 pages, 19658 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of Hydrological Processes in an Ungauged Catchment in Eritrea

by Elisa Baioni, Giovanni Michele Porta, Nelly Cattaneo and Alberto Guadagnini

Hydrology 2022, 9(5), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9050068 - 24 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2344

Abstract

This study investigates the surface processes taking place in an ungauged catchment in the Foro region in Eritrea (East Africa). We focus on estimating river discharge, sediment transport, and surface runoff to characterize hydrological fluxes in the area and provide a preliminary quantification [...] Read more.

This study investigates the surface processes taking place in an ungauged catchment in the Foro region in Eritrea (East Africa). We focus on estimating river discharge, sediment transport, and surface runoff to characterize hydrological fluxes in the area and provide a preliminary quantification of sediment transport and erosion. In this context, an overarching objective of the research is the study of the catchment associated with the Foro Dam. The latter comprises a silted reservoir formerly employed for agricultural water supply. The main traits associated with the system behavior across the watershed are assessed for a variety of combinations of the parameters governing the hydrological model selected. A detailed sensitivity analysis is performed to quantify the effects of the hydrological parameters on the estimated results. Numerical analyses are then performed to obtain an appraisal of expected water and sediment fluxes. Outputs of interest are largely dominated by the curve number parameter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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26 pages, 8960 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Establishing Stage–Discharge Rating Curves in Developing Countries: Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia

by Teshager A. Negatu, Fasikaw A. Zimale and Tammo S. Steenhuis

Hydrology 2022, 9(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9010013 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 829793

Abstract

A significant constraint in water resource development in developing countries is the lack of accurate river discharge data. Stage–discharge measurements are infrequent, and rating curves are not updated after major storms. Therefore, the objective is to develop accurate stage–discharge rating curves with limited [...] Read more.

A significant constraint in water resource development in developing countries is the lack of accurate river discharge data. Stage–discharge measurements are infrequent, and rating curves are not updated after major storms. Therefore, the objective is to develop accurate stage–discharge rating curves with limited measurements. The Lake Tana basin in the upper reaches of the Blue Nile in the Ethiopian Highlands is typical for the lack of reliable streamflow data in Africa. On average, one stage–discharge measurement per year is available for the 21 gaging stations over 60 years or less. To obtain accurate and unique stage–discharge curves, the discharge was expressed as a function of the water level and a time-dependent offset from zero. The offset was expressed as polynomial functions of time (up to order 4). The rating curve constants and the coefficients for the polynomial were found by minimizing the errors between observed and predicted fluxes for the available stage–discharge data. It resulted in unique rating curves with R² > 0.85 for the four main rivers. One of the river bottoms of the alluvial channels increased in height by up to 3 m in 60 years. In the upland channels, most offsets changed by less than 50 cm. The unique rating curves that account for temporal riverbed changes can aid civil engineers in the design of reservoirs, water managers in improving reservoir management, programmers in calibration and validation of hydrology models and scientists in ecological research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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16 pages, 6493 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Flood Mitigation Measure and Water Storage in East Africa: An Analysis for the Rio Muaguide, Mozambique

by Sara Rrokaj, Benedetta Corti, Anna Giovannini, Giorgio Cancelliere, Davide Biotto and Alessio Radice

Hydrology 2021, 8(2), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8020092 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 828812

Abstract

In the last century, floods have been more frequently hitting population and human activity, especially in the sub-Saharan context. The aim of this study is to propose suitable flood mitigation measures for the downstream part of the Rio Muaguide, which flows in northern [...] Read more.

In the last century, floods have been more frequently hitting population and human activity, especially in the sub-Saharan context. The aim of this study is to propose suitable flood mitigation measures for the downstream part of the Rio Muaguide, which flows in northern Mozambique. In this terminal part of the river, the bed has been buried by sediment in many reaches; due to the reduction of the section conveyance, wide areas are inundated during the rainy season with negative consequences for several villages relying on subsistence agriculture. The design of any measure requires quantitative determinations but, as many less developed countries, Mozambique is affected by data scarcity. Therefore, in this study global and freely available data have been used to perform hydrologic and two-dimensional hydro-dynamic modelling, finally producing a flood hazard map. Particular care has been put into a critical analysis of several data sources, in terms of their suitability for the purposes of the work. Based on the modelling results and on field evidence, an intervention has been proposed with a double functionality of mitigating the effects of periodic floods and storing water to be used by the agricultural community during drier seasons. The proposed intervention combines restoring a sedimentation-less shape of the river sections and exploiting a natural basin as a storage basin. The methods applied and the intervention proposed for the Rio Muaguide are prototypal for several analogous streams in the coastal portion of Mozambique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Applications and Cooperation Projects in Developing Countries)

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