A simple semi-distributed water balance model for the Ethiopian highlands

摘要: The discharge of the Nile River is highly dependent on flow generated in highlands Ethiopia. However, little known about local (i.e. small scale) watershed hydrological response, due part to a lack long duration, continuous data. goal this paper was develop realistic, simple model that useful as tool for planning management and conservation activities so effects interventions stream can be predicted at larger scale. developed semi-distributed it divides into different regions become hydrologically active given amounts effective cumulative rainfall after start rainy season. A separate water balance run each hydrologic using potential evaporation major inputs. Watershed parameters were calibrated included amount required before region becomes active, fraction soil runoff subsurface flow, aquifer characteristics, Model validation indicated daily values reasonably well with Nash Sutcliffe ranging from 0.56 0·78. Despite large distance between test watersheds, input parameter characteristic remarkably similar humid highlands, indicating could used predict un-gauged basins region. As expected, semi-arid behaved somewhat differently than other three watersheds. Good quality precipitation data, even short durations, key modelling highland