Print Email Facebook Twitter Identification of runoff generation processes using hydrometric and tracer methods in a meso-scale catchment in Rwanda Title Identification of runoff generation processes using hydrometric and tracer methods in a meso-scale catchment in Rwanda Author Munyaneza, O. Wenninger, J. Uhlenbrook, S. Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences Department Water Management Date 2012-07-09 Abstract Understanding of dominant runoff generation processes in the meso-scale Migina catchment (257.4 km2) in southern Rwanda was improved using analysis of hydrometric data and tracer methods. The paper examines the use of hydrochemical and isotope parameters for separating streamflow into different runoff components by investigating two flood events which occurred during the rainy season "Itumba" (March–May) over a period of 2 yr at two gauging stations. Dissolved silica (SiO2), electrical conductivity (EC), deuterium (2H), oxygen-18 (18O), major anions (Cl? and SO2?4) and major cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) were analyzed during the events. 2H, 18O, Cl? and SiO2 were finally selected to assess the different contributing sources using mass balance equations and end member mixing analysis for two- and three-component hydrograph separation models. The results obtained by applying two-component hydrograph separations using dissolved silica and chloride as tracers are generally in line with the results of three-component separations using dissolved silica and deuterium. Subsurface runoff is dominating the total discharge during flood events. More than 80% of the discharge was generated by subsurface runoff for both events. This is supported by observations of shallow groundwater responses in the catchment (depth 0.2–2 m), which show fast infiltration of rainfall water during events. Consequently, shallow groundwater contributes to subsurface stormflow and baseflow generation. This dominance of subsurface contributions is also in line with the observed low runoff coefficient values (16.7 and 44.5%) for both events. Groundwater recharge during the wet seasons leads to a perennial river system. These results are essential for better water resources planning and management in the region, which is characterized by very highly competing demands (domestic vs. agricultural vs. industrial uses). To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:dd8dceb3-495b-41e2-85d6-f2e1429832be DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-1991-2012 Publisher European Geosciences Union; Copernicus Publications ISSN 1027-5606 Source Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 16 (7), 2012 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2012 The Author(s)CC Attribution 3.0 License Files PDF Uhlenbrook_2012.pdf 556.77 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:dd8dceb3-495b-41e2-85d6-f2e1429832be/datastream/OBJ/view