Impact of Watershed Management activities on flood hydrograph Using HEC-HMS Model (Case Study: Ramyan Watershed)

Abstract

Increasing the use of water and soil resources in watershed in recent years and unproductive and inappropriate use of land ecology has exacerbated the occurrence of floods. In this context, watershed management is one of the most effective ways to cope with this crisis. This research quantify the results of these activities by calculating the decreased volume and discharge due to biomechanical measures taken in the Ramyan watershed in Golestan province. Using the HEC-HMS model and taking into account the CN coefficients in three dry, moderate and wet periods, reduced peak discharge and volume with a return period of 2 to 500 years were estimated. In order to control the estimates, four events were used during the statistical period of 21 years from the hydrometric station and the rain station in the region. After optimizing the input CN values to the HEC-HMS model, peak discharge and total flood volume were estimated with accuracy of 3.16 and 11.3 percent. Investigations show that biomechanical operations can reduce the 10 years peak discharge by 40.72 percent, while the 20-year discharge will be reduced by 30.18 percent. On the other hand, hydrograph before and after biomechanical operations shows that the flood volume and peak discharge of Ramyan watershed has decreased with respect to time and the watershed management operation was effective. Thus, in general, the effect of watershed management operation emphasis on biomechanical measures on the flood discharge in the Ramyan watershed is positive.