Relating Trends in Streamflow to Anthropogenic Influences: A Case Study of Himayat Sagar Catchment, India
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Rajesh Nune, Biju Alummoottil George, Pardhasaradhi Teluguntla, Andrew W. Western. (15/3/2014). Relating Trends in Streamflow to Anthropogenic Influences: A Case Study of Himayat Sagar Catchment, India. Water Resources Management, 28, pp. 1579-1595.
Abstract
Catchment development has been identified as a potentially major cause of
streamflow change in many river basins in India. This research aims to understand changes
in the Himayat Sagar catchment (HSC), India, where significant reductions in streamflow have
been observed. Rainfall and streamflow trend analysis for 1980–2004 shows a decline in
streamflow without significant changes in rainfall. A regression model was used to quantify
changes in the rainfall-runoff relationship over the study period. We relate these streamflow
trends to anthropogenic changes in land use, groundwater abstraction and watershed development
that lead to increased ET (Evapotranspiration) in the catchment. Streamflow has declined
at a rate of 3.6 mm/y. Various estimates of changes in evapotranspiration/irrigation water use
were made. Well inventories suggested an increase of 7.2 mm/y in groundwater extractions
whereas typical irrigation practices suggests applied water increased by 9.0 mm/y, while
estimates of evapotranspiration using remote sensing data showed an increasing rate of
4.1 mm/y. Surface water storage capacity of various small watershed development structures
increased by 2 mm over 7 years. It is concluded that the dominant hydrological process
responsible for streamflow reduction is the increase in evapotranspiration associated with
irrigation development, however, most of the anthropogenic changes examined are interrelated
and occurred simultaneously, making separating out individual impacts very difficult.
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George, Biju Alummoottil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8427-3350