Can small reservoirs be used to gauge stream runoff?

Understanding stream runoff generation processes requires distributed estimates; however the acquisition of such estimates remains challenging in hydrology, especially remote areas. In regions with a high spatial density small reservoirs, those reservoirs could be employed to gauge (Liebe et al., 2009). Using water balance approach, flowing into reservoir from drainage catchment estimated. Accordingly, this work aims address following two questions: i) what is error estimated and ii) are main estimation uncertainty factors? Based on case study Kamech catchment, Tunisia, was at different temporal resolutions (1–32 days), global sensitivity analysis performed estimate contributions terms (evaporation, rainfall, percolation, level level-area-volume relations) uncertainty. The results reveal that can reliably based using mass approach. uncertainties decrease as resolution increases. bathymetric relationships (level-area level-volume constitute strong factor for all resolutions, even dominant ranging 4 23 days. shortest (1–8 days) mainly originates As increases, contribution percolation general (not site-specific) conclusions gauging determination relations used reliable gauges short if measured limited long rate known