Application of SWAT model to estimate the annual runoff and sediment of Duhok reservoir watershed

Estimation of runoff volume and sediment load is a problem that directly affects the performance of dams due to the reduction in the storage capacity of their reservoirs and their effect on dam efficiency and operation schedule. The simulation models can be considered for evaluation of sediment potential if the continuous field measurements are not available. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to estimate the annual runoff volume and sediment load for Duhok Dam Reservoir in north of Duhok/Iraq for the period 1988-2011. The estimated annual runoff volume varied from 2.6 to 34.7 MCM. Those values are affected by rainfall depth, intensity and runoff coefficient, while the annual runoff coefficient for the studied area ranged from 0.06 to 0.33 (average is 0.19) causing an average runoff volume of 14.3 MCM. The sediment routing indicated that the values of sediment yields varied from 50 to 1400 t/km(2)/year depending on sub basin properties. The average annual sediment load from the whole watershed was 124.6 *10(3) ton. The estimated total sediment arrived to Duhok Reservoir for the considered period 1988-2011 was about 2.99*10(6) ton.