Development and Application of Spatially Parameterized Depth Duration Frequency Model for Estimation of Design Rainfall for Oromia State, Ethiopia

Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 4

Abstract

The magnitude and frequency of extreme rainfall events are required for planning, design and operation of many hydrological and water resources projects. Design rainfall depth is often used to estimate the severity and rarity of floods in areas where flow records are not sufficient enough to warrant direct flood estimation. The design of hydraulic structures on un-gauged streams and creeks, such as bridges, culverts, spillways, water harvesting and flood defense mechanisms depends upon proper estimation of extreme rainfall events. Quantification of design rainfall is generally done by using information contained in Depth-Duration-Frequency (DDF) relationships. Depth Duration Frequency relationships are currently constructed based on at site frequency analysis of rainfall data separately for different durations. These relationships are not accurate and reliable since they depend on assumptions such as distribution selection for each duration; they require a large number of parameters, experience intensive equations and regionalization is also very poor and coarse. In this study a DDF model with gridded set of parameters is developed for estimation of point rainfall frequencies for a range of duration for any location in Oromia regional state. A DDF model was fitted to series of annual maxima and its parameters were determined by a least squares method and these parameters were interpolated and mapped on a 1km grid. The model allows for a parsimonious and efficient parameterization of DDF relationships, and its performance is shown to improve the reliability and robustness of design storm predictions as compared with those achievable by interpolating the quantile predictions of extreme rainfall data for specific durations. Moreover, design rainfall estimates found from the scaling DDF model are comparable to estimates obtained from traditional techniques; however, the scaled approach was more efficient and gives more reliable estimate compared with the observed rainfall depth at all stations.

Authors and Affiliations

Megersa Tesfaye| Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Post Box No: 395, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia, Solomon Seyoum Demissie| Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Akaki Campus, Post Box No: 150461, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Keywords

Related Articles

Students’ Perception and Practice of Writing through Peer-led Learning (PLL) at Bahir Dar University

This study endeavored to probe into Bahir Dar University (IBOU) English majoring students' perceptions and practice of learning writing through ‘one-to-five' peer-led organisation (called PLTL at BDU). The number of En...

Experimentation and Prediction of Temperature Rise in Turning Process using Response Surface Methodology

Reducing the temperature rise during turning operation improves the quality of the product and reduces tool wear. Experiments are conducted as per the Design of Experiments (DoE) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) t...

Rate and Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among Clients on Antiretroviral Therapy at Tepi Health Center, South-west Ethiopia

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has resulted reduction of mortality and improved quality of life of peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Maximum benefits can only be achieved through maximum adherence. We designe...

Replacement of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets in Malarious Kebeles of Gida Ayana District, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

The main objective of the study was to determine the sustainability of owning and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets in malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. A communitybased cross-sectional study...

Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium Using Bark of Cassia spectabilis

Biosorption is a relatively new process that has proven very promising in the removal of heavy metal contaminants from aqueous solutions. The biosorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using bark of Cassia spectabilis...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP9727
  • DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i4.21
  • Views 351
  • Downloads 13

How To Cite

Megersa Tesfaye, Solomon Seyoum Demissie (2014). Development and Application of Spatially Parameterized Depth Duration Frequency Model for Estimation of Design Rainfall for Oromia State, Ethiopia. STAR Journal, 3(4), 143-151. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-9727