Application of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Model for hydrological modelling in the Upper Oum Er Rbia watershed (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Abstract

Abstract In the study assessing the impact of global change on hydrosystems, particularly water resources, calibrated and validated tools are deemed crucial for accurate representation of the area’s characteristics. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool “SWAT” model is identified through literature review as well-suited for evaluating changes in land use and climate effects on water balance components. Applied to the Upper Oum Er Rbia watershed and its sub-basins, namely Oum Er Rbia, Srou, and Ouaoumana, the SWAT model demonstrates its effectiveness over the 1982-2019 period. Employing the sequential uncertainty adjustment method (SUFI-2) in SWAT-CUP software for calibration and validation, the model achieves good performance in simulating river flows. Statistical tests, including “R²,” “NSE,” “PBIAS,” and “RSR,” reveal consistent accuracy across various stations. The positive outcomes affirm the SWAT model’s operational capability for diagnostic assessments, risk evaluation, adaptation measures, and potential future projections in these three sub-basins.