CS(AR)-1/96-97 : Analysis of surface runoff and baseflow at Ariyanayakipuram Anicut, Tambraparani basin, Tamilnadu

Abstract

The hydrological behaviour of catchments is a very complex phenomenon which is controlled by a large number of climatic and physiographic factors that vary in time and space. The analysis of surface runoff and baseflow has been carried out at Ariyanayakipuram Anicut, Tambaraparani basin, Tamilnadu for a period of 13 years (1983-95). The analysis shows that the contribution of baseflow at Ariyanayakipuram anicut was observed to be more. Further the annual catchment water balance model has been applied to simulate annual surface runoff and baseflow at the anicut. The model has been calibrated for a period of eight years (1983-90) and validated for five years(1991-95). The model is able to simulate surface runoff more accurately than baseflow. The model has also established the relation between precipitation and surface runoff, and runoff and baseflow coefficient functions at Ariyanayakipuram anicut and these functions may be useful to water management departments to understand the surface runoff and baseflow runoff processes at the anicut. The study recommends to carry out further detailed investigations to find out the possible reasons for high flows at the anicut.