Assessment of changes in high and low flow indices of a naturally flow regime (Case study: Bitas watershed, upstream of Mahabadchai river)

Babaie, Leyla; Abghari, Hirad; Mostafazadeh, Raoof

doi:10.22034/hyd.2024.63568.1757

Document Type : پژوهشی

Authors

¹ Ph.D student, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

² Associate Professor, Rangeland and Watershed Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

³ Associate Professor of Natural Resources Department and member of Water Management Research Institute, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil,

https://doi.org/10.22034/hyd.2024.63568.1757

Abstract

The occurrence of low flow and high flow periods in watersheds is a part of a river's regime. In recent years, changes in river flow and its intensification have impacted the production and utilization of river flows as well as water management, making it an important area of study. Evaluating various characteristics of the flow regime of natural rivers can help understand how river discharge changes due to climatic. In this study, changes in high flow and low flow indices at the Bitas watershed, Mahabad-chai, which monitors a naturally flowing river upstream of Mahabad Dam, were assessed for the period from 1963 to 2020. The results indicated that the Number Spell index was 144 during high flow periods and 253 during low flow periods. The Single Longest index was 1,635 for low flow periods and 163 for high flow periods. The average peak flow and average duration of peak flow indices for high flow periods were 22.6, and for low flow periods, they were 0.33. Additionally, the mean duration was 29.6 for high flow and 54.82 for low flow. According to the results, the total duration index for high flow periods fluctuated between 3 and 163, while the total duration index for low flow was 241. The findings of this study can be used to better understand changes in the natural flow regime, variations in the timing and frequency of low and high flow events, and ultimately to optimize the management of inflow to Mahabad Dam.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Hydrology

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Assessment of changes in high and low flow indices of a naturally flow regime (Case study: Bitas watershed, upstream of Mahabadchai river)

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Volume 12, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42April 2025Pages 98-81

Volume 12, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42
April 2025
Pages 98-81