Baseflow Estimation in Otamiri Watershed in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding historical baseflow characteristics is essential for
effective planning and management of water resources in the Otamiri
River Basin, Nigeria. Baseflow separation and recession analysis
have been two of the main tools for understanding runoff generation
in catchments. This study is focused on separating baseflow from
1979-1989 monthly total runoff for Otamiri River watershed using
the recession analysis. Baseflow was estimated from the monthly
streamflow records as difference using the Hewlett and Hibbert
method. The results showed that baseflow accounted for 67.19% of
total streamflow indicating that more than half of streamflow in
Otamiri River is derived from baseflow.