| Abstrakt: |
Assessing basin water balances is crucial for understanding hydro-climatic conditions and guiding effective water resource management. This study specifically focuses on the Inaouene watershed upstream of the Idris I dam, a significant sub-watershed within the Sebou Basin of Morocco. Covering 3608.2 km2, the Inaouene watershed features a diverse topography, with vegetation primarily concentrated at the peaks in both the northern and southern parts of the basin. The region experiences a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, marked by distinct wet and cold seasons, followed by hot and dry periods. Consequently, these climatic conditions create pronounced seasonal variability in rainfall and temperature, which significantly impacts the watershed’s water balance. To analyze these dynamics, this study employs the Thornthwaite method, focusing on four main parameters: available water reserves (AWR), water storage variation (WSV), transfers, and agricultural water deficit (AWF). The performance of this method is rigorously evaluated using several key coefficients and indices, including the correlation coefficient (r), the coefficient of determination (R2), the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Through this methodology, we reveal the spatial and temporal variations in drought and humidity, thereby allowing for precise climate classification and resource assessment, which is essential for supporting sustainable water management. The findings indicate significant water deficits during the summer, primarily due to high evapotranspiration and limited rainfall, contrasted with winter surpluses resulting from increased precipitation. The rainy season typically extends from October to April, during which mobilizable reserves play a critical role in maintaining the watershed’s water balance throughout the dry season. As a result, Thornthwaite’s application in this study demonstrates strong performance, with correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 93.07 to 98.31%, R2values from 86.63 to 96.64%, NSE values between 64.70% and 86.53%, and RMSE values from 19.16 to 28.84, further indicating satisfactory accuracy in error estimation. This study enhances understanding of hydrological dynamics in semi-arid regions, providing insights for water resource management amid climate variability and change. |
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