Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M

The components of water balance (WBC) that involve precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, irrigation, and groundwater recharge are critical for understanding the hydrological cycle and water management of resources in semi-arid and arid areas. This paper assesses temporal and spatial distributio...

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Main Authors: Zhanchao Li, Ahmed S. Eladly, Ehab Mohammad Amen, Ali Salem, Mahmoud M. Hassanien, Khailah Ebrahim Yahya, Jiaming Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/4/543
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author Zhanchao Li
Ahmed S. Eladly
Ehab Mohammad Amen
Ali Salem
Mahmoud M. Hassanien
Khailah Ebrahim Yahya
Jiaming Liang
author_facet Zhanchao Li
Ahmed S. Eladly
Ehab Mohammad Amen
Ali Salem
Mahmoud M. Hassanien
Khailah Ebrahim Yahya
Jiaming Liang
author_sort Zhanchao Li
collection DOAJ
description The components of water balance (WBC) that involve precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, irrigation, and groundwater recharge are critical for understanding the hydrological cycle and water management of resources in semi-arid and arid areas. This paper assesses temporal and spatial distributions of surface runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge upstream of the New Assiut Barrage (NAB) in the Nile Valley, Upper Egypt, using the WetSpass-M model for the period 2012–2020. Moreover, this study evaluates the effect of land cover/land use (LULC) alterations in the study period on the WBC of the NAB. The data provided as input for the WetSpass-M model in the structure of raster maps using the Arc-GIS tool. Monthly meteorological factors (e.g., temperature, rainfall, and wind speed), a digital elevation model (DEM), slope, land cover, irrigation cover, a soil map, and depth to groundwater are included. The long-term temporal and spatial mean monthly irrigation and precipitation (127 mm) is distributed as 49% (62 mm) actual evapotranspiration, 15% (19 mm) groundwater recharge, and 36% (46 mm) surface runoff. The replacement of cropland by built-up areas was recognized as the primary factor responsible for the major decrease in groundwater, an increase in evapotranspiration and an increase in surface runoff between LCLU in 2012 and 2020. The integration of the WetSpass model with GIS has shown its effectiveness as a powerful approach for assessing WBC. Results were more accurate and reliable when hydrological modeling and spatial analysis were combined. The results of this research can help make well-informed decisions about land use planning and sustainable management of water resources in the upstream area of the NAB.
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spelling doaj.art-6646967b2a514a8ca0a82718eaf249592024-02-23T15:37:54ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412024-02-0116454310.3390/w16040543Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-MZhanchao Li0Ahmed S. Eladly1Ehab Mohammad Amen2Ali Salem3Mahmoud M. Hassanien4Khailah Ebrahim Yahya5Jiaming Liang6College of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaDepartment of Applied Geology, College of Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit 34001, IraqCivil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia 61111, EgyptEgyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Imbaba 12666, EgyptCollege of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Water Resources Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaThe components of water balance (WBC) that involve precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, irrigation, and groundwater recharge are critical for understanding the hydrological cycle and water management of resources in semi-arid and arid areas. This paper assesses temporal and spatial distributions of surface runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge upstream of the New Assiut Barrage (NAB) in the Nile Valley, Upper Egypt, using the WetSpass-M model for the period 2012–2020. Moreover, this study evaluates the effect of land cover/land use (LULC) alterations in the study period on the WBC of the NAB. The data provided as input for the WetSpass-M model in the structure of raster maps using the Arc-GIS tool. Monthly meteorological factors (e.g., temperature, rainfall, and wind speed), a digital elevation model (DEM), slope, land cover, irrigation cover, a soil map, and depth to groundwater are included. The long-term temporal and spatial mean monthly irrigation and precipitation (127 mm) is distributed as 49% (62 mm) actual evapotranspiration, 15% (19 mm) groundwater recharge, and 36% (46 mm) surface runoff. The replacement of cropland by built-up areas was recognized as the primary factor responsible for the major decrease in groundwater, an increase in evapotranspiration and an increase in surface runoff between LCLU in 2012 and 2020. The integration of the WetSpass model with GIS has shown its effectiveness as a powerful approach for assessing WBC. Results were more accurate and reliable when hydrological modeling and spatial analysis were combined. The results of this research can help make well-informed decisions about land use planning and sustainable management of water resources in the upstream area of the NAB.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/4/543WetSpass-MLULCactual evapotranspirationgroundwater rechargearid areasEgypt
spellingShingle Zhanchao Li
Ahmed S. Eladly
Ehab Mohammad Amen
Ali Salem
Mahmoud M. Hassanien
Khailah Ebrahim Yahya
Jiaming Liang
Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
Water
WetSpass-M
LULC
actual evapotranspiration
groundwater recharge
arid areas
Egypt
title Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
title_full Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
title_fullStr Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
title_full_unstemmed Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
title_short Spatial–Temporal Water Balance Evaluation in the Nile Valley Upstream of the New Assiut Barrage, Egypt, Using WetSpass-M
title_sort spatial temporal water balance evaluation in the nile valley upstream of the new assiut barrage egypt using wetspass m
topic WetSpass-M
LULC
actual evapotranspiration
groundwater recharge
arid areas
Egypt
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/4/543
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