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Effects of rainfall variations on river channel transmission losses in a semi‐arid catchment
Author(s) -
Mujere Never,
Mazvimavi Dominic,
Masocha Mhosisi,
Makurira Hodson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
world water policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2639-541X
DOI - 10.1002/wwp2.12028
Subject(s) - arid , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , inflow , outflow , dry season , channel (broadcasting) , water resources , transmission (telecommunications) , upstream (networking) , geography , meteorology , geology , ecology , biology , geotechnical engineering , cartography , engineering , electrical engineering , computer network , computer science
Flows along river reaches decrease in the downstream direction as a result of transmission losses. These losses are important in arid and semi‐arid regions where there is critical water scarcity. Poor quantification of losses compromises the quality of information useful for effective water resources management. This study determined the influence of rainfall variations on transmission loss trends along Runde River in Zimbabwe. Monthly rainfall and flow data from 2010 to 2014 were used in the analysis. Losses were estimated as the difference between reach inflow at an upstream station (E133) and outflow at the downstream station (E83). The Mann–Kendall trend test was applied to detect trends in losses and rainfall data during dry seasons (April–September) and wet seasons (October–March). Results show no significant increasing rainfall and transmission loss trends ( S = 2, p > .1) during wet seasons. During dry seasons, rainfall show no significant decreasing trends ( S = 4, p > .1) whereas losses show no trends ( S = 0). Results also show no significant ( p > .05) relationship between rainfall and losses during wet and dry seasons. This simple and quick approach can be applied in similar systems to understand the variations in transmission losses and address otherwise water resource challenges.