Utilizing the SCS-CN Model for Hydrological Modeling of the Wadi Abu Jada'a Basin and Assessing its Water Harvesting Potential

Abstract

This research aims to elucidate the characteristics and parameters of hydrological modeling for the Wadi Abu Jada'a basin, located north of Salah al-Din Governorate, utilizing the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) model, and to assess the potential for its exploitation for water harvesting purposes. The basin encompasses an area of 122 km² and is characterized by its extensive spatial spread. It is situated in a region marked by an arid climate for the majority of the year, with the exception of brief rainy periods that generate substantial water discharges suitable for supplemental irrigation through the implementation of water harvesting technologies. Furthermore, the increased degree of slope and the linearity of watercourses from the headwater regions towards the selected optimal harvesting zones enhance the volume of water discharge due to the rapid flow velocity and reduced opportunities for infiltration and evaporation. This provides favorable conditions for establishing dam and reservoir projects within the basin area. The findings indicated that the Curve Number (CN) values ranged from 30 to 91 mm, while the potential maximum retention (S) varied between 25.12 and 592.67 mm. The initial abstraction (La) values ranged from 5.02 to 118.53 mm, and the direct runoff (Q) values ranged from 10.77 to 176.67 mm. The estimated annual surface runoff volume in the Wadi Abu Jada'a basin was 13,406,578 m³. These results suggest a positive potential for the construction of three water harvesting reservoirs with an estimated storage capacity of approximately 20,036,700 m³, which can be utilized for various human activities within the study area.