Comparison of Hydrological Platforms in Assessing Rainfall-Runoff Behavior in a Mediterranean Watershed of Northern Morocco

Abstract

This research evaluates the applicability of different types of hydrological models to simulate discharge behavior scenarios in a northern Moroccan watershed, Oued Laou watershed (OLW). In this context, an improved understanding of the runoff mechanisms through hydrological modeling of the OLW can assist in the hazard risk management and facilitate the effective planning of water resources. For that end, a multitude of hydrological models were used to perform a very efficient modelling, and a comparative approach was adopted. Comparison of the models allowed the determination of potential sources of uncertainty in hydrological modelling of a subhumid watershed. Three models (ATelier Hydrologique Spatialisé (ATHYS), Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS), and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)) with different characteristics were employed for a continuous modelling approach. The models were calibrated and validated using observed daily rainfall and streamflow data for 4 years (2004–2008) and 3 years (2009–2011), respectively. The multi-criteria model comparison (R², NSE, RSR, and PBIAS) showed that all three models are capable of reproducing the observed flows. The SWAT model performed well over both periods (NSE = 0.76 for calibration), with an improvement in validation (NSE = 0.84). A good agreement was also observed in the HEC-HMS model outputs, with an approximately stable NSE of 0.77 and 0.78 for calibration and validation phases, respectively. The ATHYS model showed a NSE value of 0.67 during the calibration, with a decrease of 0.06 towards the validation period. The other performance criteria confirmed these findings. Additionally, results suggest that semi-distributed and conceptual hydrological models are particularly suitable for the OLW given their physical heterogeneity. Generally, the integration of these models may be suitable for water resources assessment in OLW.

Pollution Vulnerability of the Ghiss Nekkor Alluvial Aquifer in Al-Hoceima (Morocco), Using GIS-Based DRASTIC Model

“…To calculate the net recharge, we used the method of equations [ 49 ] related to the nature of the geological formations. Based on the widely used classification for hydrological soil group developed by the USDA [ 50 , 51 ], our analysis reveals that the study area is predominantly divided into two hydrological groups, B and C ( Table 1 ).…”

GIS preprocessing for rainfall-runoff modeling using HEC-HMS in Nekkor watershed (Al-Hoceima, Northern Morocco)

“…HEC-HMS provides transformation tools, a number of different processing methods are provided by HEC-HMS. The Clark Unit Hydrograph and Snyder Unit Hydrograph methods, which have been successfully applied to simulate flooding in the Moroccan watershed [11,25,26,27,28]. In this study, direct runoff was transformed into Clark unit hydrograph.…”

“…The performance criteria values during the calibration period were as follows: R² = 0.71, Pbias = 85.9 and Rmse = 4.00, R² shows that the applied statistical error tests were found to be in an acceptable range. A number of researchers in Morocco [11,25,26,27,34,35] have find a good fit, certain of them with an R² value greater than 0.70. The Percent Bias coefficient (Pbias) for the calibration reached 85.9 % whish demonstrates a large overestimation in this period.…”

“…It has been largely used due to its capability to simulate flooding in both long and short term events as well as its very simplicity to use. Several previous studies have indicated the capability of the HEC-HMS model in simulating floods and continuous events [10,11]. Although, the HEC-HMS model is currently used in this research for reasons of availability and performance through adopting the SCS-CN approach [12].…”

Streamflow Simulation in Semiarid Data-Scarce Regions: A Comparative Study of Distributed and Lumped Models at Aguenza Watershed (Morocco)

“…In addition, there is an urgent need to characterize the rapid response of runoff to extreme precipitation events that are becoming more frequent in arid and semi-arid and Mediterranean regions [14,15], as they often generate extremely damaging flash floods and inundations [16][17][18]. Since accurate simulations of flow are possible in arid and semi-arid regions, effective water resource management and flood warning require accurate and precise simulations of streamflow [19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”