Geoinformatics application for assessing the morphometric characteristics’ effect on hydrological response at watershed (case study of Wadi Qanunah, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This study deals with the evaluation and inundation of flash flood hazard in the ungauged Wadi Qanunah basin depending on detail morphometric characteristics of Qanunah basin and its sub-basins. Data for this study were depending on ASTER data for digital elevation model (DEM) with 30-m resolution, topographic map (1:50,000) and geological maps (1,250,000) which were verified during the fieldwork for evaluation of linear, areal, shape, and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. About 39 morphometric parameters were measured and calculated and interlinked to produce nine effective parameters to evaluate the flash flood hazard degree of the Wadi Qanunah basin. This study examined the physiographic features of the study basin with emphasis on their implication for hydrologic processes through the integration analysis between physiographic features and geographical information system (GIS) techniques. Wadi Qanunah basin was classified into 13 subbasins, and according to their hazards degree, it is classified into three groups: basins of high hazard degree as for Wadi Qanunah sub-basin, basins of medium hazard degree as for Wadi Al Hafyan and Baydan 1 sub-basins, and basins of low hazard degree as for the rest of the sub-basins. Watershed Modeling System (WMS) and Hydrologic Engineering CenterHydrologic Modeling System software (HEC-HMS) were applied to generate the hydrograph of the two main sub-basins of Wadi Qanunah and Wadi Khatm Al Jurrah. The results of the model for maximum daily rainfall events of a total of 65, 79, 97, 110, and 123 mm with return periods of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years, respectively. Total volume of discharge of Wadi Qanunah sub-basins ranges from 66 × 10 6 to 138 × 10 6 m 3 , while for Wadi Khatm Al Jurrah sub-basin, it ranges from 11 × 10 6 to 24 × 10 6 m 3 at return periods from 5 to 10 years, respectively.

Multispectral and RADAR images integration for geologic, geomorphic, and structural investigation in southwestern Arabian Shield, Al Qunfudhah area, Saudi Arabia

“…The topographic variation and the structural features seem to influence the distribution of rainwater after precipitation, in Saudi Arabia. Based on TRMM and SRTM DEM data, the topography and geology of the Asir Mountains are found to have positive relationships with the precipitation distribution [60].…”

“…Runoff in the southwestern part of KSA occurs mainly during the seasonal rainfall precipitation, when the wadis receive plausible flood waters from their various tributaries after recharging the sediments below [34,60]. This area received annually about 5-425 mm/year [35].…”

Effect of Water Surface Area on the Remotely Sensed Water Quality Parameters of Baysh Dam Lake, Saudi Arabia

“…The organic marital from inside the lake are affecting the water quality. Also, runoff possibly will transport leaves and wooden pieces to dam's lake as well as the sediment particle which is the driving force of lake water turbidity [3,4]. The amount of these organic marital in the lake is fundamental part of the living organisms in the dam lake including bacteria and algal live cycles [5].…”

“…For seeking the knowledge, losing a 1000 m 3 of a fresh water is not a disaster. Nevertheless, keeping around 140 million m 3 of rain water for microorganisms and algae to grow could be a catastrophe. Through history, small polluted pools were responsible of hundreds of deaths.…”

“…In some cases, the change in the water quality measures could be minor and unnoticeable, but with continuity and time the water body will get contaminated and then will affect the ecosystem around it. Water quality monitoring and pollution prevention are better than having over a million m 3 of contaminated water in one location will affects the region. Also, it will need for huge budgets for the future treatments [10,11].…”