Catchment Hydrology Simulation for Climate Impact Studies Using the SWAT Hydrological Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70102/AEEF/V3I2/4Keywords:
SWAT model; Catchment hydrology; Climate change impact; Hydrological simulation; Water resource management; Streamflow modelling; Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs); Evapotranspiration; Runoff prediction; Watershed analysis.Abstract
Understanding the hydrological response of a catchment under changing climatic conditions is important
for permanent water resources planning and management. This study applies soil and water evaluation tools (SWAT)
hydrological models to simulate catchment-scale hydrological processes and assess the potential effects of climate
change on streamflow, runoff, and evaporation. Historical climate data and estimated landscapes of the Global Climate
Model (GCMS) were integrated into the SWAT structure to analyse future hydrological behaviour under various
representative concentration pathways (RCPS). Calibration and verification using observation-discharged data
revealed strong model performances with high accuracy in reproducing streamflow patterns. The results indicate water
yield in response to the estimated temperature and rainfall changes and indicate significant spatial and temporal
variations in hydrological extremes. This study highlights the usefulness of SWAT as a strong tool for climate effect
analysis, supporting policymakers in developing adaptive strategies for water resource stability in weak catchment
areas.
