Evaluation of the WEAP model in simulating subbasin hydrology in the Central Rift Valley basin, Ethiopia

Abstract Background The subbasin hydrologic behaviors have been altered by many natural and anthropologic factors such as climate change land development activities. Model-based assessment can be used to simulate both hydrological processes, human-induced effects, management strategies on water resources. For the Ketar subbasin, WEAP (water evaluation planning) model was developed that aimed at (1) evaluating application of in (2) demonstration using efficiency criteria, (3) simulating processes model. Methods WEAP-based soil moisture method (rainfall-runoff) hydrology routine is comprised a lumped, one-dimensional, two-layer accounting uses empirical functions designate evapotranspiration, surface runoff, interflow, deep percolation for sub-unit root zone. A catchment considered smallest response unit. catchment’s balance typically estimated discretizing into multiple which Results monthly measured simulated streamflow statistics showed positive strong relationship with R 2 0.82, NSE 0.80, IA 0.95; 0.91, 0.98 calibration validation periods respectively. Similarly, mean an agreement 0.99, 0.97, 0.94, 0.93, 0.93 Conclusion has demonstrated capability represent dynamics periods. In general, overall performance show very good between outlet subbasin.