2021 Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages 116-121
The unfavorable impacts of climate change are experienced all over the world. Afghanistan is among the countries that are severely affected by the impacts of climate change. The adverse effect on water resources constitutes one of the most negative effects. Currently, water management authorities and researchers look for improved water management techniques that will reduce the pressure on the already stressed water resources. Surface runoff harvesting is becoming more popular in regions with an arid-semi-arid climate, such as Afghanistan because of the increasing demand for scarce water resources. Therefore, a study was carried out to analyze the water harvesting potential in Qargha Reservoir Watershed, and to evaluate the effectiveness of clayey dressing application in maximizing surface runoff compared to control conditions. Rational method and sorptivity method were used to estimate the potential surface runoff and clayey dressing (silty clay loam and clay loam) was applied as a conservation strategy. A small area of 2 ha was selected in suitable areas of Qargha Reservoir Watershed. Based on 16 rainfall events, the volume of surface runoff estimated by the rational method was 509.40 m3, which was larger than the 478.34 m3, estimated by the sorptivity method. After clayey dressing application, the estimated volume of surface runoff based on the rational method increased to 1392.36 m3. Furthermore, the estimated volume of surface runoff after clayey dressing calculated with the sorptivity method increase to 1608.46 m3 based on 16 rainfall events. Proper soil surface treatment such as application of clayey dressing is highly recommended for achieving sustainable agriculture.
