Dataset Information

Assessing development and climate variability impacts on water resources in the Zambezi River basin: Initial model calibration, uncertainty issues and performance.

ABSTRACT:

Study region

: The Zambezi River basin, one of the most important water resources in sub-Saharan Africa from both a water supply and hydro-power generation perspective.

Study focus

: Calibration of two hydrological models (Pitman and WEAP) that have been established for 76 sub-basins covering the total basin area of about 1 350 000 km². The longer-term purpose of establishing the models is to facilitate scenario analyses of future conditions related to changes in water use and management as well as climate change.

New hydrological insights for the region

: While there are many (inevitable) uncertainties in the data used, as well as the models and calibrated parameter sets themselves, the results suggest that the models are generally fit for purpose in terms of evaluating future changes. There are, however, some parts of the basin where the reduction of identified uncertainties would lead to improved models and greater confidence in their future use. One of sources of uncertainty relates to the existence of several large wetland areas that have impacts on downstream flows, but are difficult to simulate due to the relatively poor existing understanding of the dynamics of water exchange between the river channels and the wetland storage areas.

SUBMITTER: Hughes DA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7756318 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Assessing development and climate variability impacts on water resources in the Zambezi River basin: Initial model calibration, uncertainty issues and performance.

Hughes D A DA Mantel S S Farinosi F F

Journal of hydrology. Regional studies 20201201

<h4>Study region</h4>: The Zambezi River basin, one of the most important water resources in sub-Saharan Africa from both a water supply and hydro-power generation perspective.<h4>Study focus</h4>: Calibration of two hydrological models (Pitman and WEAP) that have been established for 76 sub-basins covering the total basin area of about 1 350 000 km<sup>2</sup>. The longer-term purpose of establishing the models is to facilitate scenario analyses of future conditions related to changes in water ...[more]

PMID: 33362988

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Dataset Information

Assessing development and climate variability impacts on water resources in the Zambezi River basin: Initial model calibration, uncertainty issues and performance.

Study region

Study focus

New hydrological insights for the region

Publications

Assessing development and climate variability impacts on water resources in the Zambezi River basin: Initial model calibration, uncertainty issues and performance.

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