Scenario Analysis in Intensively Irrigated Semi-Arid Watershed Using a Modified SWAT Model
Intensive irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions can cause significant environmental issues, including salinity, waterlogging, and water quality deterioration. Watershed modeling helps us understand essential water balance components in these areas. This study implemented a modified SWAT (Soil and...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/272 |
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| Summary: | Intensive irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions can cause significant environmental issues, including salinity, waterlogging, and water quality deterioration. Watershed modeling helps us understand essential water balance components in these areas. This study implemented a modified SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model tailored to capture irrigation practices within a 15,900 km<sup>2</sup> area of the Arkansas River Basin from 1990 to 2014. The model analyzed key water balance elements: surface runoff, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, lateral flow, and groundwater return flow, distinguishing between wet and dry years. Over 90% of precipitation is consumed by evapotranspiration. The average watershed water yield comprises 19% surface runoff, 39% groundwater return flow, and 42% lateral flow. Various irrigation scenarios were simulated, revealing that transitioning from flood to sprinkler irrigation reduced surface runoff by over 90% without affecting crop water availability in the intensively irrigated region of the watershed. Canal sealing scenarios showed substantial groundwater return flow reductions: approximately 15% with 20% sealing and around 57% with 80% sealing. Scenario-based analyses like these provide valuable insights for optimizing water resource management in intensively irrigated watersheds. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3263 |