PROJECT - REPORT

On

RAINFALL-RUNOFF EFFECT TO THE VARIATION

OF HYDROLOGY OF MIGINA CATCHMENT

By
HAKORIMANA Francois
Reg.No:UG10103322
Under the guidance of
Eng. Omar MUNYANEZA
(MSc, PhD Fellow)

Submitted to the DEPARTMENT OF Civil Engineering

In the FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
In partial fulfillment of requirement
For the award of

BACHELOR DEGREE (A0)

In Civil Engineering at

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

July, 2012
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BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report titled,“RAINFALL-RUNOFF EFFECT TO THE

VARIATION OF HYDROLOGY OF MIGINA CATCHMENT” is the bonafide work of Mr

HAKORIMANA Francois, who carried out the research under my supervision. Certified

further, that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any

other project report or dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an

earlier occasion on this or any other candidate.

Signature of the Supervisor Signature of the H.O.D

Name of the Supervisor Name of the H.O.D

Eng. Omar MUNYANEZA

Signature of Internal Guide/ Signature of External Guide/

Name: Name:

Submitted for University examination held in July, 2012 at National University of Rwanda,
University Avenue, Butare, Rwanda.
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DECLARATION

I declare that, this project entitled, “RAINFALL-RUNOFF EFFECT TO THE VARIATION

OF HYDROLOGY IN MIGINA CATCHMENT” is my original work and has never been
submitted to any University or other Institutions of Higher Learning.It is my own research
whereby other scholar’s writings were cited and references provided.I declare that this work is
mine and was completed successfully under the supervisor of Eng. Omar MUNYANEZA(MSc,
PhD Fellow).

Student signature

Name: HAKORIMANA Francois

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ABSTRACT

The basic information regarding to the variation of hydrology is crucial issue to be discussed to
basically put out the effect of rainfall and runoff in the hydrological variation. As our country is
formed by several enormous mountains, it has also many catchments constituting the basic
reservoir of the environment. This is why we always have ambition of taking care of all the
catchments which play a role in agricultural domains.

The research on effect of rainfall and runoff to the variation of hydrology has been conducted
Tostudy the rainfall and runoff availability in themigina Catchment, to specify the seasonally
hydrologic variation, to evaluate the performance of the catchment area on the environmental
activities and to study the rainfall-runoff effect on the variation of hydrology of the Catchment.
The required data were collected from the meteo-hydrological stations and other institutions like:
CGIS-NUR, MINAGRI, MINIRENA and MININFRA.
The arithmetic mean method was used for the determination of theannual rainfall amount using
2010-2012 records obtained form 13 rain gauges stations installedin the catchment. The annual
evapotranspiration has been calculated through evaporation pan at Rwasave and Gisunzu
stations. The annual discharge was determined by the discharge-water level relationship method
at Munyazi, Mukura and Cyihene rivers using rainfall and discharge data collected by
Munyaneza from 2010 to 2012.

The simple formulas were used in calculations, the adjusted crop coefficient was found to be
0.66, and the annual rainfall varies with respect to weather or Climate events like Temperature
increase. This can have major effects on society, economy and the environment and was found to
be1569.5mmthe results were shown that the migina catchment land use is dominated by the
agricultural at 70%(rice, maize and beans) and livestock activities.

It is recommended to contribute to the amelioration of Agricultural activities to increase the

Rwandan primary sector production and sensitize the population on the Rwanda seasonal
changes and good governmental catchment protection plan.

Key words: rainfall analysis, runoff analysis, migina catchment, variation,Rwanda.

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DEDICATION

To the almighty God,

To my parents,

To my brothers and sisters;

To my relatives, friends and all colleagues;

I cordially dedicate this Work.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I thank God for providing me life and knowledge so that I may become
useful person to the society.

I am very grateful to you BwanakweliThadee and your wife NTAKIRUTIMANA M.Josée for
your sweated blood for my education and your financial support to publish this work.

Heartfelt thanks to my Supervisor, Eng.Omar Munyaneza who guides me throughout the whole
process of this work. Enteemed thanks to lecturers: Dr. Matiko Samson, Innocent Kabandana,
Dr.WaliUmaruGarba, Vera Cruz and AbiasUwimana, whose intellectual contribution served as
invaluable hints to my research.

Sincere and grateful thanks to my Aunt Anne Marie, Sister Odette whose moral and material
support helped me to pass my school life and support motivation by being our family role model
in education.

Special thanks to my classmates FlavienHavugimana and IgnaceHishamunda,their cordiality and

daily care helped me to conduct this research paper. This goes to my roommates: N.Joseph,
H.Protais and I. Gad who provided me a day to day advice.

Last but not least, I extend my thanks to NUR Librarians for lending me documents used in my
research process.

May God bless you all abundantly.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE...................................................................................................................i
DECLARATION....................................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT...........................................................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.......................................................................................................................v
TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................................................vi
LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................................................ix
LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................1
1.1. Background......................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Research Problem.............................................................................................................................2
1.3. Research Motivation and Interest.....................................................................................................3
1.4. The research objectives....................................................................................................................4
1.5. Research Project Structure...............................................................................................................4
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................6
2.1. Availability of rainfall and runoff in the catchment.........................................................................6
2.2. Rainfall or Precipitation...................................................................................................................7
2.2.1. Rainfall Overview......................................................................................................................................7
2.3. Rainfall measurement.......................................................................................................................7
2.4. The rainfall/runoff variation depending on seasonal changes..........................................................9
2.5. Runoff/stream over flow................................................................................................................10
2.5.1. Surface Runoff..........................................................................................................................................10
2.5.2. Factors affecting runoff...............................................................................................................11
2.5.3. Overview on the evaporation and evapotranspiration.................................................................11
2.6. The Performance of the Catchment on Environmental Activities.................................................11
 Soil type.............................................................................................................................................12
 Land cover and Land Use...................................................................................................................12
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CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................16

3.0. Introduction....................................................................................................................................16
3.1. The overview of Migina Catchment...............................................................................................16
3.2. Data availability.............................................................................................................................17
3.2.1. Rainfall data collection procedure...........................................................................................................17
3.2.2. Runoff data collection procedure.............................................................................................................18
3.2.2.1. Selection of stations..............................................................................................................................18
3.3. Processing for data collection.........................................................................................................17
3.4. Determination of rainfall................................................................................................................19
3.5. Determination of evapotranspiration..............................................................................................20
a.Determination of runoff..................................................................................................................................21
b. The monthly discharge in selected stations of Migina catchment..................................................................22
CHAPTER IV: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS INTERPRETATION.......................................24
4.1. Investigation of hydrological data analysis....................................................................................24
4.1.1. Rainfall data analysis..............................................................................................................................24
4.1.2. Evapotranspiration data analysis............................................................................................................26
4.1.3. Determination of runoff coefficients........................................................................................................29
4.1.3.1. Discharge VS Water level at selected station of Migina catchment......................................................29
4.1.3.2 Determination of total annual runoff in Migina catchment....................................................................30
4.1.3.3. Quantification of annually hydrological components in the Migina catchment....................................32
4.2. Effect of seasonal hydrological variation on catchment’s environment........................................32
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................34
5.1. CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................34
5.2. RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................35
5.2.1. To the Government:.................................................................................................................................35
5.2.2. To the interested catchment Researchers:................................................................................................35
5.2.3. To the Catchment Living Citizens:..........................................................................................................35
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................36
A. Books.................................................................................................................................................36
B.Webgraphy.......................................................................................................................................37_
APPENDIX...........................................................................................................................................38
APPENDIX 2: Discharge charts in Migina catchment.........................................................................39
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Spatial distribution of stations in Migina catchment...............................................................18

Table 2: Average Depth Method or Arithmetic Mean Method.............................................................20
Table 3: Determination of E & ET at Rwasave and Gisunzu Stations..................................................21
Table 4:Discharge&Water level in selected station of Migina Catchment...........................................22
Table 5: Evaporation and Crop factors by (FAO, 1989)......................................................................23
Table 6: Average Monthly Rainfall in Migina Catchment....................................................................24
Table 7: Anual Average rainfall Volume in Migina Catchment...........................................................25
Table 8: Crop Adjusted Coefficient......................................................................................................26
Table 9: Actual Evapotranspiration in Migina Catchment....................................................................27
Table 10 a: Annual Runoff at Mukura ,Cyihene-Kansi and Munyazi-Rwabuye rivers.......................30
Table 12: Seasonal Variation of the Hydrology in Migina Catchment.................................................33
Table 13: Appendice 1:Hydrologic Components records and stations ‘coordinates in Migina............39
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Organigramm of factors causing catchment flooding.....................................................3

Figure 2:organigramm of methodology procedure........................................................................6
Figure 3: types of rain gages (Bizirema,2010)...............................................................................8
Figure 4: Typical rain gages used in Precipitation measurement(Omar,2010)............................10
Figure 5:Buzana flooded marshland(may,2012,10:00 am)..........................................................11
Figure 6: Migina Catchment Land cover and Land use(source: arc-Map)..................................13
Figure 7: Runoff measurement by Velocity-Area method and Current meter method................14
Figure 8: Runoff by Discharge-water level method……………………………………….……15
Figure 9: Discharge determination at Mukura………..…………………………..……….…….15

Figure 10: Localization of Migina Catchment.............................................................................17

Figure 11: Hydrological Components (Wikipedia,2012).............................................................20

Figure 12: Monthly Average Rainfall variation in Migina Catchment........................................27
Figure 13:Evaporation-Evapotranspiration variability in Migina(Rwasave Evaporation pan)....29
Figure 14: Evaporation-Evapotranspiration variability in Migina(Gisunzu Evaporation pan)....30
Figure 15: Water level-Discharge relationship............................................................................31
Figure 16:Flooded rice field atRwabuye(May2012)……………..……………...........................35
Figure 17: Flooded rice field at Kansi(May2012).…………….………..…….…………………35
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ΔS: Storage

Dr: Doctor

W.L:Water Level

W.T: Water Table

TR: Total Rainfall

Ks:Stress Coefficient

Kc : Crop Coefficient

Kadj: Adjusted Coefficient

ET: Evapo-Transpiration

H.O.D: Head of Department

M SL: Mean Sea Level

AET: Actual Evapo-Transpiration

PET: Potential Evapo-Transpiration

UTM: Universal Transverse Mercator

IDF: Intensity-Duration-Frequency
NWS: National Weathering Station
NUR: National University of Rwanda
DEM: Digital Elevation Model
MINAGRI: Ministry of Agriculture

MININFRA: Ministry of Infrastructures

MINIRENA: Ministry of Natural Resources

FAO: Food Alimentary Organization

C-GIS: Center of Geographical Information System

CGIS-NUR: Center of Geographic Information System for National University of Rwanda.
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CHAPTER I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background

The variation of the hydrology is the situation changing the almost physical and environmental
aspect of the region in our living land. This change is enhanced by hydro-meteorological factors
like sun rays increase, temperature difference in different earth’s area, seasonal variation based
on the loss and /or the precipitation abundance (Ufiteyezu, 2010).

The Migina catchment is the water reservoir (storage) located in the southern province of
Rwanda where it recovers three districts including: Huye, Gisagara and Nyaruguru district. From
many years ago, this catchment constitutes the principal water resource and contributes to the
alimentation of water to several people accommodating the area.The villages in which the
catchment is located; get water from several rivers recovered by the Miginacatchment.

Rivers:Mukura,Musizi,Akaremera,Ruvuzo,Kidobogo,Kadahokwa,Munyazi,Migina,Rwimbogo,C
yenzubuhoro etc (Ufiteyezu,2010) are of the paramount importance for agricultural domain. The
precipitation of water vapor from the atmosphere occurs in many forms all over the world
depending to the geographical location, the most important of which are rain and snow. The
drainage in most urban comminutes are designed primarily to protect/control the runoff from
rainfall. The formation of the rainfall (precipitations) usually results from the lifting of the moist
air masses within the atmosphere, which results in cooling and the condensation of moist air.

The runoff, amount of water which is recovering the surface hydrology produced by the
abundance of the rainfall, is the most important part of surface water hydrology in the
determination of the hydrological and the topographical parameters of the region. The land area
that can contribute to the runoff at any particular location is determined by the shape and
topography of the surrounding region. the potential contributing area is known as the watershed
and the area within over which the rainfall occurs is called the catchment area characterized by
the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of run-off(Patra, 1999).The Migina catchment is the
most important area of our case study, where the falling rain and the runoff resulting from
rainfall intensity are the main factors influencing the variation of its hydrology.
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1.2. Research Problem

The rain is the part of the precipitation which reaches the surface of the earth in the form of the
droplets of water, the size of the drops varies from 0.5mm to 6mm as drops larger than this size
are found to breakup during their fall in the air. it is also said to be considered as the light if the
intensity of rainfall is up to 2.5mm/moderate from 2.5 to 7.5mm/h and heavy over 7.5mm.Many
factors such as: soil type, vegetation, geology and topography of the area largely determine the
quantity of rainfall excess available as stream from the precipitable water. It is of course the
focused point to produce such amount of runoff after reaching the surface. This inter-relationship
makes the one of them influencing the other in the hydrological cycle and are both factors which
could change or destroy anytime, the physical aspects of the hydrology of the Migina catchment.

The Miginacatchment is the water reservoir area combining three districts including: Huye,
Gisagara and Nyaruguru district.However it can rain or not, the variation of its hydrology can
immediately occur by either increasing of the water volume ,raising of the water table level due
to the increase in precipitation or contrastly,decreasing the water volume for the other hands.

This variation of Migina catchment can additionally be affected by several factors like: human
activities, hydro-meteorological conditions, topography, atmospheric condition, soil types etc.
From stated points, there is a need to look into the system of water control and management and
see if it is possible to maintain the consistency of this reservoir to avoid different problems due
to excess (flooding) or missing of the rain. The force field analysis below shows what leads to
the variation of the hydrology of the catchment.
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Excess or Loss of
Hydrological effect
Rainfall
changes

Catchment problems Environmentaleffect

Topographic
changes
Over-flooding-area or
effect changes
drying area.

Variation of hydrology

Economical Super Runoff: excess

crisis surface water or drying

of the soil surface

Figure 1: Organogram of factors causing catchment flooding

1.3. Research Motivation and Interest

Expressing feelings, propositions, skills and knowledge improvement, when it is raining on the
surface, many physical aspects changes, climatic and atmospheric appearance seem at all
variable, earth surface becomes more changed specifically in the area where it is rained, the
water increase is completely immediate. After remarking all that, visiting many rivers after it
rains, reading different books on the hydrology and visiting web internet, all these made me to be
interested in knowing the effect of rainfall-runoff to the variation of the hydrology in Migina
catchment. For instance I’m very ambitious to determine how much the rainfall affects the
 xiv

hydrology of a region, the factors that runoff can depend on and the way to provide water from
the rain in Migina catchment.

1.4. The research objectives

This research which has been conducted for the study of rainfall-runoff effect to the variation of
hydrology of Migina catchment has been not chosen at randomly, it has the main objective to
assess the variability of hydrology of Migina catchment with respect to seasonal rainfall
availability and runoff characteristic change.

The specific objectives of this research are:

1. To study the rainfall and runoff availability in the Migina Catchment;

2. To specify the hydrological variation based on seasonal periodic change;
3. To evaluate the performance of the catchment area on the environmental activities and
4. To study the rainfall-runoff effect on the variation of hydrology of the Catchment.

From all the above given objectives, in the section of methodology, we provide different
methods and techniques to be used to perform each of the stated objectives.

1.5. Research Project Structure

This research will be structured as follow:

 Chapter1: General Introduction: This explains in general the Background of study

area and gives the main problem of the research in accordance to the objectives of the
research.
 Chapter 2: Literature Review: It focuses on the terms of the research
(rainfall&Runoff) and the method of measurements.
 Chapter 3: Methodology and Area of study: this explains in particular the methods
and materials used for collecting data and/or data collection
 The summary below shows the processes that were used to conduct our Research:
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HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL
DATA COLLECTION

METEOROLOGICAL DATA HYDROLOGICAL DATA

 COLLECTION FOR
RECORDING&TOPOGAPHIC

INFORMATION CATCHMENT
RAINFALL AND RUNOFF
DETERMINATION

SOIL INVESTIGATION RAINFAFF, RUNOFF,

 ARITHMETIC MEAN METHOD
LANDUSE, LANDCOVER,

CATHMENT SLOPE AND AND DISCHARGE-WATER EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
RELIEF LEVEL METHOD STUDY
 IN GENERAL

USE OF EXCEL TO ANALYZE
THE RAINFALL AND RUNOFF
VARIABILITY

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS

Figure 2: organigram of methodology procedure.

 Chapter 4: Presentation Analysis and Data Interpretation: This is for analyzing the
data collected and present them on figures basically explains the results by
interpretation figures.
 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
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 References
 Appendixes

CHAPTERII: LITERATURE REVIEW

All relevant documents for the establishment of this research were collected. The present chapter
was constituted to review an existing baseline information and literature material which could be
undertaken to conduct this research. The previous studies related to the present research were
consulted (Maarten, 2007) andto facilitate this step and to overwhelm the objectives of this
research, we have consulted all the courses relating to this topic.
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2.1. Availability of rainfall and runoff in the catchment

The purpose of this consideration is to determine the Availability of rainfall and runoff in the
catchment depending on climatic conditions, the precipitation takes source on hydrological
cycle, and is the result of many climatic factors including temperature and wind speed and the
runoff is depending on the rainfall, infiltration and evaporation amount.

In Migina catchment, the mean annual rainfall and temperature are approximately 1200 mm/year
and 20oC, respectively. The annual average of evaporation in the catchment is estimated to be
917 mm/year. The annual average of the relative soil moisture, calculated over the 11 years is
75.7% with minima in June of 59.8% and the maximum in April of 86.3%. The winds speed is
mostly between 1 to 3 m/s and rarely exceed 6 m/s (Bizirema, 2011).

Figure3:Hydrological cycle,source of rainfall (www.google.com).

2.2. Rainfall or Precipitation

2.2.1. Rainfall Overview

The rainfall is often said to be the starting point of the water cycle and the main inflow of its
water in the catchments. It can reach the earth surface after many processes as the lifting of the
moist air masses, cooling and the condensation of moisture, cooling air mass, and the
condensation of water droplets onto nuclei. It can occur in different forms such as rainfall, snow,
hail and fog( is sometimes called horizontal precipitation).the rainfall influences many
 xviii

hydrological changes on the surface water flow (runoff) therefore there is a significant and unique
relationship between the rainfall and surface runoff (Ward, 1990),soil moisture, ground water discharge
and many other aspects of the nature.

The precipitation is also the one of the easiest elements of the hydrological cycle to quantify in space,
accurately extrapolating the data for a catchment requires a great deal of its knowledge (Waterloo, 2007).

2.3. Rainfall measurement

The rainfall quantity is measured by using recording or non-recording (manuals) rain gages. The
manual National Weather Service (NWS) gage is primarily used for collecting daily rainfall
amount (www.meteorwanda.gov.rw, 2008). The automatic recording gages are usually used for
measuring rainfall at intervals of one day and for collecting data in remote locations.

Raingage measurements are actually point’s measurements of rainfall and are only
representative of a small area surrounding the rain gage. ((Ward& Robinson, ,1999))The area of
the order 25km2 have been taken as characteristics of raingage measurement (Gupta&Ponce,
1989).
Local rainfall data are usually in the form of total daily or monthly measurements for non-
recording gages with smaller time increment used in recording gages whereas Recording rain
gauges measure the intensity of rainfall using a tipping bucket which will only tip when a certain
volume of water is in it.
The recording rain gage is in three types which are: Weighing bucket rain gauge, tipping bucket
rain gauge and float type. An electrical switch can be used to record the tips (Bizirema, 2011).
 xix

Figure 4:Types of rain gages (Bizirema, 2011).

Various methods are available to estimate the average rainfall over an area from point-
measurements, and their accuracies are different depending on the position of rain gauge stations
 xx

where the measurements were recorded. Among others, we can name some of the methods like
the Average depth method or ArithmeticMean , the Thiessen method, the Isohyetalmethodand
DistanceWeighingmethod(Maniraruta, 2010) and the formula are provided below:
 P=(P1S1+P2S2+………..+PnSn)/S (Thiessen Method) …………………………..(1)
 P (mm) = (P1+P2+P3+…..+PN)/n (Arithmetic Mean Method) …………………..(2)

Where: P = Average precipitation over the drainage basin.

P1… Pn = Precipitation recorded on the rain gauge of the considered area.
S1… Sn = Partial surface area of area of influence.
S = Total surface area of the drainage basin.
1, 2, 3….n=Numbers of zone.

 Arithmetic Mean or Average depth method

This technique calculates areal precipitation using the arithmetic mean of all the point or real
measurements considered in the analysis.
The monthly and annual rainfall will be in this research, determined by using this method
(Arithmetic mean)and the arithmetic mean method helped usto determine theannual and monthly
average rainfall by dividing the sum of rainfall taken from different stations by the number of
considered stations as shown in above (Equation2).
Where P=Precipitation and n=total number of rain gauges, and the materials to be used are the
tipping bucket and standard rain gauge as shownin Figure 5.
 xxi

Figure 5:Typical rain gages used in Precipitation measurement (Munyaneza, 2010).

2.4. The rainfall/runoff variation depending on seasonal changes

The variation of the seasonal conditions is the factor to consider while conducting research on
rainfall and runoff in a given catchment.Rwanda, in the past five years,had 4different known
seasons characterized by the inequality of rainfall and runoff amount where rainfall was high
from March to May and low from June to August due to high intensity sun rays and Temperature
increase. This has been changed year to year and affects the rainfall and runoff (Maniraruta,
2010).

2.5.Runoff/stream over flow

2.5.1. Surface Runoff:Most of the time, water that returns to Earth as precipitation runs off the
surface of the land, and flows downhill,rivers,ponds and Lakes.
 xxii

Figure 3:Buzana flooded marshland (May, 2012, 10:00 am).

Small streams flow into larger streams, rivers, and finally into the ocean. Surface runoff is an
important part of the water cycle for, through it, much of water returns again to the oceans,
where a great deal of evaporation occurs (Linsley, 1964).

When surface runoff flows into an unlined drainage channel that penetrate the saturated zone of
the aquifer, due to soil type, the flow in drainage channel consists of both surface water runoff
and ground water inflow to the channel. The flow resulting from the surface water is called
direct runoff and that from ground water inflow is subdivided into Base flowand interflow which
is sometimes referred to through flow (Shaw, 1989).

2.6. The Performance of the Catchment on Environmental Activities

Generally, as provided by the ministry of Agriculture, the Catchments are of the paramount
importance in the development of the country where they are used to enhance the agricultural
 xxiii

activities, to produce fisheries and to produce the natural resources.In Migina, the soil type is
alluvial clay due to river influences and its main land use type is agricultural grassland (70%).
There are a few small villages in the area which in total occupy about 75% of the area and lively
depending on the agricultural activities and fisheries (Bizirema, 2010).

We expect the effect of spatial variability of daily rainfall on soil moisture, groundwater level
and discharge using a physically-based, fully-distributed hydrological model.
We focus on the effect of rainfall and the runoff spatial variability on day-to-day variability of
the interior catchment response, as well as on its effect on the general hydrological behavior of
the catchment which will have the influence on the agricultural activities development. This
variation will depend on the hydrological components (rainfall -evapotranspiration and runoff) of
water cycle represented on the figure below:

Figure 4: Hydrological components (Wikipedia, 2012).

2.5.2. Factors affecting runoff

The factors like soil type, Land cover and Land use, slope and size of the catchment, local
topography and landscape position are of great effect to the runoff comportment in the
catchment.

 Soil type

The permeability of the soil in a given region determines how much the infiltration can occur
through different soil layers.The runoff generation in the catchment is related with the porosity
 xxiv

of soil with respect to the depth of soil layers (Bhave,2007).This soil type will help us to know
the permeability of the soil in order to study the storage water amount.

 Land cover and Land Use

The vegetation has impact on the infiltration capacity; the area densely covered by vegetation
produces less amount of runoff than the bare ground place. Land cover such as forest delays
runoff flow on gentle slopes giving the more time to infiltrate and to evaporate (William, 1995).

Figure 8: Migina catchment land cover and land use (Ufiteyezu, 2011).
 xxv

2.3.3. Runoff measurement

Flow data can be used for a variety of purposes, including problem assessment, watershed
project planning, assessment of treatment needs, targeting source areas, design management
measures and project evaluation. Stream flow is measured in discharge’s units (m³/s) occurring
at a specified time and constitutes historical data. The measurement of discharge of a stream
forms an important branch of hydrometric, the science and practice of water measurement. The
stage of a river is defined as its water-surface elevation measured above a datum which is the
mean-sea level (MSL).
Various methods used for measuring the discharge of the rivers are: area velocity method,
dilution method,current meter method and discharge-water level method (Dusangwe, 2011).In
this research, we have used the discharge-water level method as discussed below.

The Discharge (Q) is typically calculated by using different formulas such as:
 Q = V1 *A1 +V2*A2+…Vi*Ai (Area-Velocity Method)……………………. (4).
 Q = q * (C1 – C2)/(C2 – Co) (Dilution methods )…………………………..(5)
 Q=(H/K)1/x(Discharge-Water level method)……………( 6.a)

Where V: The velocity of moving water in m/s.

A: The cross-sectional area of the channel in m2).
Q = stream discharge,
q = tracer injection rate,
C1 = tracer concentration in injection
C2 = final concentration of tracer in the stream,
Co = background tracer concentration in the stream.
 xxvi

Figure 9: Runoff measurement by velocity-area method and current meter method(propeller )

2.3.2.1. Discharge water level method

This method has been used in our study for determination of Discharge amount in various
catchments’ rivers. thismethod shows the relationship between Discharge and water level at a
given gauging station where we determined the temporal variation of water level in time and
applied them in the following equation:

o H=KQx…………………………(6.b)
 xxvii

o K =Qx/H……………………….(6.c)

o Q=( X√( H /K ¿)¿……………………(6.d)

Where Q =discharge.
H=water level in the river.
K=Correlation coefficient
 xxviii

Figure 10: Runoff by discharge-water level

methodFigure 5:Discharge determination at Mukura river

2.4. Estimating of runoff from rainfall data

 xxix

In this research,the runoff is estimated from the available rainfall amount at a considered river
gauging stationby using discharge-water level method as shown inequation (6.b) related similarly
to equation (6.d) used at Mukurariver station shown on photo above.

2.5. Overviewon the evaporation and evapotranspiration

o This is the physical process in which any excess of water which is not required to fill new
plant cells travels through the plant stomata from its roots upward into its leaves and out
into air. This process depends on climatic conditions such as: hot Temperature, Strong
wind, low humidity, intensity of solar radiation, Albedo (Loycock, 2007)this was needed
in our research to calculate the catchment storage and was calculated from Rwasave and
Gisunzuevaporation pan by using Class A pan(Munyaneza,2010)in the Equations:

o Er=K*Ep Reference evaporation………………………………………………

(7)
o PET=Kc*EpanPotantial Evapotranspiration……………………………………….(8)

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY

3.0. Introduction

This chapter narrates area of the study, and methodology that was used for the completion of this
Research. It explains methods and techniques, which were used in gathering and interpreting
data.

The research methodology seeks to understand, describe, explore new domain, evaluate the
action, a project, and ask fundamental steps of which the success, after all, is linked to the quality
of information(Rogiers, 1996)”.The methodology step is a manner of progress towards the
aim"(Mwikarago,2008).

To show scientific step, consist of describing fundamental principles, to put in all research work
to show different ways conceiving for best adoption, to the phenomenon or domain of studies.

3.1. The overview of Migina Catchment.

 xxx

As detailed in the previous chapter, Migina catchment ,geographically is located in southern part
of Rwanda; with area around 260 km2 and coordinates ranging from 2o32‟ to 2o48‟ latitude
south and from 29o40‟ to 29o48‟ longitude East, Contains approximately 103,000 inhabitants
(Berg, 2010).

The Migina catchment, located in early southern part of our country, as shown above, is covered
by three district in which (64.12 Km2 in eastern of Gisagara, (52.62 Km2) in southern -western of
Nyaruguru and (140.52 Km2) in north-west of Huye district.Migina catchment is divided into5
sub-catchments according to the main rivers draining area (Munyazi-Rwabuye, Mukura,
Cyihene-Kansi, Akagera and Migina).

The delineation of this catchment has been done by using GIS-software, Digital Elevation
Model(DEM) and the Topographic Map for determination of catchment area and identifying
catchment characteristics(Nyirajana,2011),the figure below shows the Migina Catchment
boundaries:
 xxxi

Migina Catchment Boundaries

Figure 6: MiginaCatchment Boundaries.

3.2. Data availability

The available data used in this study in Migina catchment were provided by the Ministry of
Natural Resources (MINIRENA) and Rwanda meteorological office. Some additional data like
topographic map, DEM map, land use and land cover; crop factors were obtained from other
institutions like, FAO, National University of Rwanda (NUR-CGIS Center) and others were
 xxxii

collected manually.

3.3. Processing for data collection

3.2.1. Rainfall data collection procedure

To help for getting rainfall data in migina catchment, we have visited different stations in the
area of study, where the manual rain gauges and some automatic rain gages are installed
throughout the catchment. In this section we have used only 10 rain gauges including automatic
ones( Rwabuye-CGIS) and manual rain gauges( Kibirizi, Kansi,
Muyira,Nyaruteja,Sovu,Vumbi…).Being based on the information given by the geographical
description of the catchment and some of the method of determination of the rainfall (arithmetic
mean...), we were became familiar to determine the distribution of the real precipitation in the
catchment area as described in the previous sections.

After getting all data, we did a detailed analysis with mass curve of rainfall, average annual
precipitation, average monthly precipitation and daily quantity of precipitation in the catchment
area. This has helped us to estimate the total volume of rainfall received in catchment during this
period by using the following equation:
o Total Volume of rainfall(m3)= TR∗A ………………………………………………………
(9)
Where TR: Total rainfall (mm) and A is area of catchment (m2)

3.2.2. Runoff data collection procedure

3.2.2.1. Selection of stations

In all Migina meso–scale catchment, they are thirteen (13) rain gauges, five (5) river gauging stations
with divers, two (2) evaporation pans, two (2) weather stations, three(3) tipping buckets and eleven
(11) piezometers have been installed from April to July 2009 on two transactions.In all these
stations,we have used visited 13 stations containing rain gages and all 13stations with their
coordinates are shown below:
Table 1:stations installed in theMigina catchment

Station Latitude(UTM) Longitude(UTM) Altitude(m) Period Collected data

Rango 805464 9707671 1708 2010-2011 Precipitation
Mubumban 803144 9705574 1808 2010-2011 Precipitation
o
Murama 800129 9699128 1720 2010-2011 Precipitation
Vumbi 800382 9709831 1824 2010-2011 Precipitation
Mpare 803030 9711007 1691 2010-2011 Precipitation
Sovu 800824 9717176 1764 2010-2011 Precipitation
Save B 808328 9718265 1770 2010-2011 Precipitation
 xxxiii

Muyira 809227 9708819 1725 2010-2011 Precipitation

Kibirizi 809300 9706476 1712 2010-2011 Precipitation
Gisunzu 805956 9701364 1684 2010-2011 Evaporation
Rwasave 806184 9712510 1665 2010-2011 Evaporation
Kansi A 805555 9702817 1685 2010-2011 Discharge
CGIS(nur) 801485 9713790 1726 2010-2011 Precipitation,Wind,To
Munyazi- 806263 9713884 1662 2010-2011 Discharge
Rwabuye

The variation of hydrology in our area of study (Migina catchment) is depending on the amount
of rainfall (inflow) and the outflow (evapotranspiration-runoff) variability. This can be a crucial
factor of knowledge of storage amount which will shows us the day to day behavior of hydrology
of the catchment. We need to know all inflow and outflow of our study area as:

The inflow:This is contributed by the rainfallfalling in the catchment; itis calculated from data
obtained at Ten stations; Sovu, Save, Mpare, Vumbi and C-GIS (Butare) Muyira, Kansi and
Kibirizi, Rwasaveby using Excel Software and the Theissen polygon method.
The outflow was contributed by the discharge at the outlet of the catchment measured at
Munyazi-Rwabuye station, Mukura station and the evapotranspiration calculated from
evaporation, measured by evaporation pan at Rwasave fishpond.

 The water balance of the catchment was given by equation:

STORAGES= INFLOWS - OUTFLOWS.

ΔS =P - (ET + Q) (10)

WithΔS: Storage, R: Runoff, ET: Evapotranspiration and P: Precipitation.

3.4. Determination of rainfall

The rainfall has been determined by using the arithmetic mean method as expressed in the
section of literature in the equation 2.The monthly average rainfall has been calculated in the
 xxxiv

table2 by using data recorded for period of 2years(2010-2011) at 13rain gages installed in
Migina catchment.

Table 2: Average depth method or arithmetic mean method

Year Month Rango Mubumbano Murama Vumb Mpare Sovu Save P(mm)
i B
2010 January 199.3 209.8 182.5 335.3 226.4 151.9 190.3
February 208.4 260.6 238.9 237.6 183.4 180.5 183.6
March 320.9 161.6 159.9 153.0 148.0 158.0 84.9
April 390.9 168.2 144.9 226.4 245.6 158.8 123.5
May 390.9 259.2 177.4 154.0 234.6 163.3 111.6
June 32.0 33.4 53.8 46.8 27.5 23.3 11.9
July 0.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
August 0.00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
September 256.7 77.1 103.0 51.0 74.2 126.5 103.1
October 231.0 51.8 114.3 47.3 90.7 107.7 53.1
November 286.9 147.4 157.1 108.4 141.2 39.9 115.9
December 151.3 87.4 108.6 109.4 154.0 77.5 185.1
2011 January 196.2 100.8 101.6 97.9 118.2 118.2 98.0
February 239.3 144.7 89.8 74.4 132.9 192.0 150.8
March 220.0 130.5 178.2 126.9 132.4 126.9 123.7
April 481.7 174.2 130.5 137.2 174.8 131.1 158.1
May 383.1 170.6 192.3 169.0 204.1 136.6 205.2
June 0.0 0.0 68.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 144.8

Year Month Muyira Kibirizi Gisunzu Rwasave Kansi A CGIS P(mm)

2010 January 213.6 148.9 219.7 134.4 147.1 183.2 195.0
February 280.2 167.9 253.5 288.7 288.2 221.2 230.2
March 229.4 134.0 161.4 205.5 194.0 154.2 174.2
April 196.1 142.6 181.8 112.6 138.8 179.4 185.3
May 214.8 176.3 141.1 172.2 166.3 198.6 196.9
June 11.0 7.7 27.5 17.9 37.5 17.2 26.7
July 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
August 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
September 66.9 59.1 79.4 106.3 97.8 71.4 97.8
October 62.3 45.8 45.9 92.1 52.3 69.9 82
 xxxv

November 172.3 99.8 120.5 138.4 89.8 114.8 133.2

December 70.1 103.2 119.6 107.2 93.6 91.9 112.2
2011 January 87.0 108.1 73.6 154.9 293.3 119.1 128.2
February 166.8 132.5 125.0 197.5 179.7 141.8 151.3
March 326.8 126.5 186.1 145.3 148.6 143.3 162.7
April 546.3 343.3 228.6 198.5 179.3 234.3 239.8
May 145.6 266.3 187.2 190.2 157.8 189.0 199.8
June 75.1 0.0 78.7 0.0 70.6 67.9 38.9
Total Average Monthly Rainfall obtained from gauges stations of the Catchment
Departing from station monthly Rainfall. 130.78

3.5. Determination of evapotranspiration

In this section, the evapotranspiration data were collected from Rwasave and Gisunzu stations by
using evaporation class A pan and was calculated by using equation 10.

o Er=K*Ep , PET=Kc*Epan and PET=0.66*Epan

WithEr=Reservoir Evaporation
Ep=Pan Evaporation
Kc=pan coefficient and Kc=0.66.

By using the data taken atRwasave and Gisunzu evaporation pan, from January 2010to June
2011, different equations were used for calculation of the reference evapotranspiration and the
actual evapotranspiration, the actual adjusted crop factor was given by the sum of the
multiplication of crops factor (Kc) and the soil water stress coefficient Ks=0.83(Dusangwe,
2011) based on the percentage of their occupied area.
Table 3: Determination of E & ET at Rwasave and Gisunzustations

Station Rwasave evaporation pan Gisunzu Evaporation pan

year
Month E(mm) PET(mm) E(mm) PET(mm)
2010 January 134.40 88.7 134.40 88.7
February. 100.90 66.6 100.90 66.6
March 103.60 68.4 103.60 68.4
April 124.90 82.4 124.90 82.4
May 116.35 76.8 116.35 76.8
June 135.58 89.5 130.50 86.2
July 198.00 130.7 147.00 97.0
August 194.00 128.1 170.00 112.2
September 179.33 118.4 154.48 101.9
October 170.13 112.3 153.93 101.6
 xxxvi

November 147.42 97.3 138.54 91.4

December 151.25 99.8 129.63 85.5
2011 January 154.92 102.3 116.61 76.9
February 183.54 121.2 127.03 83.8
March 181.29 119.6 141.17 93.2
April 98.0375 64.7 157.75 104.1
May 91.245 60.2 87.32 57.6
Average monthly 144.99 95.70 131.42 86.72
With: -Average E &ET
annual Average annual 1739.88 1148.4 1577.04 1040.64
E=Av.monthly E &ET
E*12 and Average
1
monthly E= ∑Ei,
n
1
-Average annual ET=Av.monthlyET*12 and Average monthly ET= ∑ETi
n
-n is the number of months.

 Determination of runoff

In this research, the runoff was calculated by using the discharge-water level method which
shows the relationship between discharge and water level at a given gauging station in time,
(equation 6.d):

 Which shows the relation between discharge and water level from two chosen stations
(Munyazi- Rwabuye, Mukura river and Cyihene- Kansi)
 This equation was used for runoff calculation using data taken from June 2009 to May
2011).By considering the different points of measures in different parts of day through the steam
and measuring the height of water by using meter ruler left and Divers right (shown in below)
after finding periodical height of water, and departing from the above equation, the discharge is
obtained by using equation 6d.

b. The monthly discharge in selected stations of Migina catchment.

Table 4: Discharge water level in selected station of Migina catchment

Date Mukura river Kihene-Kansi river Munyazi- Rwabuye

river
Month& Av.Level Discharg Av.Level Discharg Av.Level Discharge
Year H(m) e H(m) e H(m) Q(m3/s)
Q(m3/s) Q(m3/s)
Jan 2010 0.74 0.44 0.52 0.51 - --
 xxxvii

Feb 2010 0.67 0.24 0.75 0.85 - --

March2010 0.61 0.18 0.50 0.39 -- ---
April2010 0.66 0.24 0.51 0.43 -- --
May2010 0.75 0.39 0.52 0.49 0.69 0.06

June2010 0.66 0.25 0.45 0.31 0.66 0.05

July2010 0.61 0.17 0.39 0.26 0.53 0.03

Aug.2010 0.55 0.09 0.33 0.18 0.50 0.01

Sept.2010 0.52 0.09 0.32 0.19 0.48 0.02

Jan.2011 0.40 0.23 0.520 0.44 0.61 0.08

Feb.2011 0.67 0.24 - - -- --
Mar.2011 0.61 0.18 - - 0.7 0.14

Note that the above information (data) described in given tables will help us to determine, by
combination of all water balance components, the behavior of the hydrology of Migina
catchment. We do not forget to adjuste the class A panevaporation coefficient (K adj)
byconsidering the sum of product between crops and stress water factors in the catchment. The
table below shows the evaporation and crop factors proposed by FAO (Nizeyimana, 2007).

Table 5: Evaporation and crop factors (FAO, 1989).

Crops Kc&Ke
Rice 1.0
Sorghum 0.22
Tomatoes 0.25
Beans 0.76
Soybeans 0.95
Maize 0.5
cotton 0.2
Sugarcane 0.8
Cassava 0.65
Bananas 1.05

3.6. Contribution of rainfall and runoff in raising of water table

To know the behavior of water table in Migina catchment, we need to consider the all in flow
and out flow. The inflow is counted from:
 xxxviii

i.The discharge at input of Catchment counted at Kansi-Kihene and at Akagerariver.

ii.Rainfall falling in the Miginacatchment obtained from our calculations.

The outflow is counted from:

i. The discharge at output of Miginacatchment at the exit of Miginariver.

ii. The evapotranspiration obtained from our calculations.

The water table of Miginacatchment is defined as the imaginary variable temporal water level
that water can reach in period depending on rainfall and evaporation conditions. This will rise on
when rainfall increases,and going down in the evaporation case or sun period and is the crucial
point to determine how much water is stored in the underground part(www.climateprediction.net,
2012).

CHAPTER IV: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS INTERPRETATION

4.1. Investigation of hydrological data analysis

4.1.1. Rainfall data analysis

From the data taken at each rain gage station among the 13considered stations installed in the
catchment, during the period of two years(from January 2010 to June 2011),data were collected
at
Muyira,Mubumbano,Save,Sovu,Rango,Kansi,Kibirizi,Mpare,Vumbi,Murama,Gisunzu,Rwasave
and C-GIS stations. These data were used to determine the average monthly rainfall in the
catchment by using the arithmetic mean method as shown in the Table2.The total rainfall volume
in m3 is then determined by multiplying the monthly rainfall(mm) for all stations by
corresponding area of the Miginacatchment(260 km2).
Table 6: Average monthly rainfall in the Migina catchment
Year 2010 Year 2011
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(mm) 195 230 174 185 196 26 0 0 97 82 133 112 128 151 162 239 199 38
 xxxix

Table7: Annual average rainfall volume in the Migina catchment .

Months Rainfall P(mm) Rainfall in m3
P(m3)=P(mm)*Area(m2),with 260km2 The table
January / 2010 195.0 50700000 above (Table
February /2010 230.2 59852000 7) shows that
March /2010 174.2 45292000 the rainfall
April/2010 185.3 48178000 in the
May/2010 196.9 51194000
June/2010 26.7 6942000
July/2010 0.0 0.0
August/2010 0.0 0.0
September/2010 97.8 25428000
October/2010 82 21320000
November/2010 133.2 34632000
December2010 112.2 29172000
January /2011 128.2 33332000
February/2011 151.3 39338000
March/2011 162.7 42302000
April/2011 239.8 62348000
May/2011 199.8 51948000
June/2011 38.9 10114000
Monthly Average 130.7 34 005 111.1
Annual Average 1 569.5 408 061 333.3
Miginacatchment is monthly varied and the monthly average rainfall is 130.7mm (34 005
111.1m3) and is 1569.5mm/year(408 061 333.3m3/year),this is different from what have found by
Bizirema in 2011(1200mm/year) due to temporal variation and method used.We draw the
diagram of monthly average rainfall variation which is shown in Figure 13:
 xl

Rainfall P(mm) Variation in Migina Catchment

300

250

200
Rainfall P(mm)

150

100
Rainfall P(mm)
50

Time (Months)

Figure 7: Monthly average rainfall variation in Migina catchment.

From the diagram above, we found that the maximum rainfall in Miginacatchment was 230.2mm
(inFebruary2010) and 239.8mm (in April2011), the minimum is 0mm (July&August2010) and
38.9mm (June2011). So in general, the rainfall varies periodically.

4.1.2. Evapotranspiration data analysis

The data used in this section are taken from January2010 to May 2011 at Rwasave and
Gisunzustations. From the evaporation (crop) coefficient Kc (Ke)=0.66(Table 6)and soil water
stress coeffient Ks=0.83(Dusangwe,2011),we determine the adjusted coefficient :
Kadj=(∑Ks*Kc)/n ………………………………………………………………….(11).

Table 8: Crop adjusted coefficient

Crop Kc&Ke Kadj=(Kc*Ks)/n

Rice 1.0 0.83
Sorghum 0.25 0.21
Tomatoes 0.22 0.18
 xli

Beans 0.76 0.63

Soybeans 0.95 0.78
Cotton 0.5 0.41
Maize 0.2 0.17
Sugarcane 0.8 0.66
Banana 0.65 0.53
Cassava 1.05 0.87
Forest 1.0 0.83
Sweet potatoes 0.9 0.75
Open ground 0.3 0.25
Kadj= (7.1/13)=0.55

From the adjusted value of crop coefficient, K adj, we determine the actual evapo-transpiration in
Migina catchment from data taken at Rwasave and Gisunzu evaporation pan. the calculation is
summarized in the Table 9:

Table 9: Actual evapotranspiration in the Migina catchment.

Months Rwasave Evaporation pan Gisunzu Evaporation pan

Eref(m AET=Eref*Kadj AET(m3)= Eref(mm) AET=Eref*K AET(m3)=

m) (mm) AET*A(m2) (mm) AET*A(m2)
January/2010 88.7 48.8 12 688 000 88.7 48.8 12 688 000
February 66.6 36.6 9 516 000 66.6 36.6 9 516 000
March 68.4 37.6 9776000 68.4 37.6 9776000
April 82.4 45.3 11778000 82.4 45.3 11778000
May 76.8 42.3 10998000 76.8 42.3 10998000
June 89.5 49.3 12818000 86.2 47.4 12324000
July 130.7 71.9 18694000 97.0 53.4 13884000
August 128.1 70.5 18330000 112.2 61.7 16042000
 xlii

September 118.4 65.1 16926000 101.9 56.1 14586000

October 112.3 61.8 16068000 101.6 55.9 14534000
November 97.3 53.5 13910000 91.4 50.3 13078000
December 99.8 54.9 14274000 85.5 47.1 12246000
January/2011 102.3 56.3 14638000 76.9 42.3 10998000
February 121.2 66.7 17342000 83.8 46.1 11986000
March 119.6 65.8 171080000 93.2 51.3 13338000
April 64.7 35.6 9256000 104.1 57.3 14898000
May 60.2 33.2 8632000 57.6 31.7 8242000
Monthly 95.
52.6
Average 7 21442352.9 86.72 55.5 11100470.5
Annual 1148.4 631.2 257308235.3 1040.64 666.1 133205647.1
Average

The information given in the table above (Table 9) shows that the evapotranspiration at Rwasave
is monthly varied and the monthly average rainfall is 52.6mmwith the annual average of
631.2mm which is different from what found by Bizirema in 2011(917mm/year) to show that it
varies with respect to period and used method. We draw the diagram of monthly evaporation and
evapotranspiration variation in Figure 14:
 xliii

140

& Evaporation(mm)
120

100

80

60
EVAPORATION
40 EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

20
Evapotranspiration(mm)

Time(Months)

Figure 8: Evaporation-evapotranspiration variability in the Migina (Rwasave evaporation pan).

From the diagram above, we found that from Rwasave, the evaporation and evapotranspiration
are monthly varied. The maximum evapotranspiration was 71.9mm (in July2010) and 66.7mm
(Feb2011), the minimum was 36.6mm ( in February 2010) and 33.2mm ( in May2011).The
evapo-transpiration from Gisunzu station is analyzed in Figure 15:
 xliv

Evaporation (mm)& Evapotranspiration(mm)

120

100

80

60

Evaporation
40 Evapotranspiration

20

Time in Months

Figure 9: Evaporation-evapotranspiration variability in Migina (Gisunzu-evaporation pan).

From the diagram above, we found that from Gisunzu, the evaporation and evapotranspiration
are monthly varied. The maximum evapotranspiration was61.7mm (in August 2010) and
57.3mm (April 2011), the minimum was 36.6mm (in February 2010) and 31.7mm (in
May2011).

4.1.3. Runoff data analysis

4.1.3.1.Determination of runoff coefficients

As explained in the formula below, the runoff coefficient from an individual rainstorm is defined
as runoff divided by the corresponding rainfall both expressed as depth over catchment area
(mm), it is commonly assumed that the quantity (volume) of runoff is a proportion (percentage)
of the rainfall depth.

Runoff [mm] = K x rainfall depth [mm] hence K=runoff (mm)/rainfall depth(mm)

Or Q=KxH K=Q/H

Departing from factors which strongly influence the rainfall-runoff process, it should
also be considered that the physical conditions of a catchment area are not homogenous.
There are a variety of different slopes, soil types, vegetation covers etc. Each catchment has
therefore its own runoff response and will respond differently to different rainstorm events.
 xlv

4.1.3.2. Discharge VS Water level at selected station of Migina catchment.

From the data of Table 4 in previous pages, we can determine the variability behavior of water
level with respect to the river discharge for each visited gauging station as shown below:
Mukura river gauging station
y = 0.881x0.183
R² = 0.964
1.00
0.95
Water level (H) in m

0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
Series1
0.70
0.65 Power (Series1)
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40
Discharge (Q) in m3 s-1

h
Figure 10: Water level-discharge relationship

The above figure shows that from the data collected at Mukura river from January 2010 to
March2011, we can at a given water level, determine the corresponding discharge by equation
Y=0.881X0.183.Where Y represents water level and X represents discharge.To interpret the
variation of water level at Cyihene-KansiRiver and Munyazi-Rwabuye, we followed the same
procedure as done at Mukura river and the results were respectively represented by
equationsY=0.773X0.523and Y=1.009X0.183.

4.1.3.3 Determination of total annual runoff in Migina catchment.

The total runoff in Miginacatchment is found after combination of arithmetic mean between
annual runoff from 3 selected gauging stations (Mukura river, Munyazi-Rwabuyeriver and
Cyihene-Kansi river).

Table 10: Annual runoff at Mukura ,Cyihene-Kansi and Munyazi-Rwabuyerivers.

Months Water Level Discharge from Discharge

H(m) H=0.881Q0.183 in m3/s Q(m3)
 xlvi

a.Mukura: Jan 2010 0.74 0.38 1390.8

Feb 2010 0.67 0.22 528
March2010 0.61 0.13 234
April2010 0.66 0.21 504
May2010 0.75 0.41 738
June2010 0.66 0.21 806.4
July2010 0.61 0.13 351
Aug.2010 0.55 0.08 240
Sept.2010 0.52 0.06 270
Jan.2011 0.40 0.02 48
Feb.2011 0.67 0.22 660
Mar.2011 0.61 0.13 663
Monthly Average 536.1
Annual Average 6433.2
b.Cyihene-Kansi W.L H=0.773Q0.523 in m3/s Q in m3
Jan 2010 0.52 0.47 1269
Feb 2010 0.75 0.95 2565
March2010 0.50 0.44 1240.8
April2010 0.51 0.45 1485
May2010 0.52 0.47 1551
Jun2010 0.45 0.36 1728
July2010 0.39 0.27 1377
Aug.2010 0.33 0.20 684
Sept.2010 0.32 0.19 820.8
Jan.2011 0.52 0.47 2115
Monthly Average 0.43 1483.56
Annual Average 5.13 17802.72
C.Munyazi-Rwabuye Water Discharge from Discharge in
Level H=0.881Q 0.183
in m /s3
Q(m3)
H(m)

May2010 0.69 0.13 468

June2010 0.66 0.10 330

July2010 0.53 0.03 160.2
 xlvii

Aug.2010 0.50 0.02 42

Sept.2010 0.48 0.02 66

Jan.2011 0.61 0.07 126

Feb.2011 -- -- --
Mar.2011 0.7 0.14 630
Monthly Average 0.08 227.78
Annual Average 0.96 2733.3

Note1: The discharge values (in m3/s) in the above tables (Table 11 a&b, column 3) are
calculated from the equation governing each water level-discharge at a given gauging station, by:

 At Mukura river: H=0.881Q0.183 in m3/s and Q= ( 0.881

H
) 5.5

H 1.9
 At Cyihene-Kansi river: H=0.773Q0.523 in m3/s and Q=( )
0.773
H 5.5
 At Munyazi-Rwabuye: H=0.881Q0.183 in m3/s and Q=( )
1.009

2. The discharge values (in m 3) column 4, are found after multiplying discharge in m 3/s by the
monthly recording time (presented in the appendices).

4.1.3.4. Quantification of annually hydrological components in the Migina catchment

 From the whole calculations done, we found that:

-Total annual rainfall in the catchment is P (m3) = 0.13078x260000000x12= 408 033 600m3
-Total annual evapo-transpiration in the catchment ET (m3) =257 308 235.3+133205647.1=390
513 882.4m3
-Total annual runoff in the catchment is R (in m3)=6433.2+17802.72+2733.3= 26 968.5m3
 From the water balance equation stated in the above previous sections, we determine
the annual stored water in the catchment by:

STORAGES= INFLOWS - OUTFLOWS.

ΔS=P- (R +ET) with P: Precipitation,
R: Runoff, ET: Evapo-transpiration, ΔS: Storage.
 xlviii

 Hence, ΔS (in m3) = 408 033 600m3-(390 513 882.4m3+26 968.5m3) =17 492 749.1m3.

Note that this storage value is not constant for all seasons of the year, our calculations
give storage of 17 492 749.1m3.This depends on rainfall amount and the evapo-
transpiration found in the catchment.
4.2. Effect of seasonal hydrological variation on catchment’s environment
The variation of the hydrology of a given catchment depends on availability and/or scarcity of
rainfall, runoff and storage quantity. The stored water will determine how much the water table
is raised on. This will have a strong effect on crop rooting zone and will favor the time-period for
farming activity.

Table 11: Seasonal variation of the hydrology in Migina catchment.

Seasons in Rain Dry season1 Rain Dry Annually

Year season1 (December- season2 season2 Catchment
(Sept- February) March- June- balance
November) May August)
Rainfall P(mm) 325.2 391.7 115 65.6 2001.9
8.7
Evapotranspiration 273.3 293.1 525.3 354.2 1445.9
ETC(mm)
Runoff 4.5x10-3 33.5x10-3 28.9x10-3 23x10-3 89.9x10-3
Q(mm)
Change in 150.69 59.26 633.4 -288.6 554.75
Storage(mm)
Change in 39179 400 15 407 600 164 684 000 -75 036 000 144235000
Storage(m )
3

The rainfall has a big effect on variation of the hydrology for the reason of its availability on the
surface area and can affect the environmental activities in case of flooding. Note that all
remaining components depend on its availability so is hydrology. From Table12, when rainfall
increases, it increases either runoff or infiltration capacity contrary to its decreasing, so is the
hydrology variation.

The runoff also will affect not only the hydrology but also the environment in general through
flooding, drainage capacity requirements and the hydraulic structures building for the public
health safety and agricultural purpose.
 xlix

As seen in the above table, during the long dry season(June-August), the rainfall is minimum
and the evapotranspiration, being raised up due to the temperature increase, continues to reduce
the runoff amount and storage amount is reduced hence the variation of the hydrology of the
catchment.
From the other researches done on Migina, we find this variation is not a fixed value, it often
happens at any time due to the Rwanda climate change.Thisaffects the agricultural activities in
the area and will be the causes of low productivity of the area which finally enhances the poverty
of Migina’s inhabitants. This variation of hydrology in Migina is shown on the photos below
taken in Rwabuye and Kansi marshlands in May 2012:

Figure11:Flooded rice field at RwabuyeFigure 12:Flooded rice field at Kansi

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. CONCLUSION

Departing from the results of this research which has the aim of studying the effect of rainfall
and runoff on the variation of the hydrology of Migina catchment, the researcher’s aim has been
achieved and the recommendations was drawn.
 l

Based on data taken from 2009 to 2011 at different stations installed in Miginacatchment and
different visits done to the area in which the research has been conducted, the analysis has been
done to determine the monthly and annual rainfall, runoff, evapotranspiration and change in
storage and the results were presented in various tables. Some of materials used in data
collection, shapefiles of Miginacatchment were presented through different figures. The photos
taken in different media during the field works were presentedand the results were interpreted on
different charts.

Theinterpretation and analysis done through all the catchment show that the total monthly and
annual average rainfall in the Migina catchment are respectively 130.78mm and 408 033
600m3.The total monthly and annual runoff are2247.44m3and 26 968.5m3.The total monthly and
annual evapo-transpiration are respectively32542823.4m3 and 390 513 882.4m3 and by using
equation 10, the total annual storage of the catchment is found to be 17 492 749.1m3.

All in all, our objectives were achieved after analyzing different Rwanda seasons’behaviour in
the Miginacatchment (Table 11) where we found that the rainfall is in abundance from March to
May and is lower from June to August whereas it is normal in other remaining months. The
runoff and evapo-transpiration were simultaneously analyzed (in Table11) and the storage was
found to be 17 492 749.1m3 annually.

All of these provide information to catchment living citizens about agricultural activities period
and will help other related researchers to get useful knowledge of the catchment. From the
collected data, their analysis done in this research and the conclusion on it, the recommendations
were given as well.

5.2. RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of the findings, the researcher suggested the following recommendations to the
government, to the interested Catchment researchers and to the Catchment living citizens.
 li

5.2.1. To the Government:

The government should provide motivation and materials to students for performing their
researches. Especially, the Ministries of Natural Resources, Infrastructures and Agriculture must
provide the program of marshland exploitation and crops protection by setting flood control
system in Rwandan catchments precisely in theMigina catchment. It will be of paramount
importance if government sensitizes the population on the Rwanda seasonal changes for a good
agricultural planning.

5.2.2. To the interested catchment Researchers:

This research done for data recorded in 2years,on rainfall-runoff effect to the variation of
Hydrology of Migina, welcomes the interested researchers to extend the long period study of
other parameters for providing the knowledge of Migina catchment hydrology and contributing
to the amelioration of Agricultural activities to increase the Rwandan primary sector production.

5.2.3. To the Catchment Living Citizens:

The population who live the catchment place must know the catchment background such as
variation in its hydrology (runoff and rainfall variability), the effects of Rwanda seasons on
Miginacatchment (flooding and sunny period), the plants which grow and resist the catchment
changes.This will help the government to set measures of catchment control and know which
kind of plants to be farmed and in which period to farm them.

REFERENCES

A. Books

1.
 lii

Mwikarago W.,2008. Aim of the methodology in a Research, (p. 13).

2.AnyemeduF.O.K., 2008,Hydraulic structure,lecture notes ,NUR,Butare(In 2).

3.Kwaad G. ,1991,Ground water hydrology,Amsterdam.

4.Nizeyimana B., 2007,Hydrology, NUR Butare.

5.Ward& Robinson W.,1999,Introduction to Hydrology. .

6.Maarten J.W.,2007,Hydrology and Hydraulic structure, Amsterdam.

7.BoltV.D., 2010,Etude du Climat et La precipitation.

8.Comber A., 2005,Land survey and remoting process.

9.Bizirema F., 2011,Hydro-Climatic Analysis in Migina Catchment. NUR,Butare.

10.Maniraruta G., 2010,Trends Analysis. NUR,Butare.

11.Fishermen A., 2005,Building Environment system.

12.Manirarut G., (2010). Research on Water Balance of Migina Sub-Catchment,NUR-Butare.

13.Gupta&Ponce,1989,Water Ressource Engineering.

14.Waterloo J. M.,August,2007,Introduction to Hydrology, Amsterdam,Vincent E.A.

15.Patra K.C,1999,Hydrology &Water Resource Engineering (2nd Edition), Amsterdam.

16.Loycock A.,2007,Rainfall and weather patterns,Touluse.

17.Nyirajana J., 2011,Rainfall and Runoff Relationship in Migina catchment, NUR-Butare.

18.Munyaneza O.,2010, Hydrology lecture notes,NUR-Butare.

 liii

19.Umaru Garba W.,2010, The Hydrology and Hydraulics, NUR-Butare.

20.Munyaneza O.,June 2010,Research of Weathering patterns in Migina. NUR-Butare.

21.Rwabuhungu D.,2010,The Hydrology course, NUR-Butare.

22.Bhave P.R.,2007,Analysis of Water Distribution Networks.

23.Dusangwe R.,2011,Hydrologic Cycle in Karubanda Marshland,NUR-Butare.

24.Linsley R.K.,1964,Water Resources Engineering (2nd Edition), Mc Graw-hill,USA.

25.MunyanezaO.,2010,Research of Hydrology in Migina Catchment. Amsterdam.

26.Rogiers D., 1996,The Methodology of sustainable research.

27.Shaw E., 1989,Engineering hydrology techniques in practice, Ellis Horwood (350p).

28.Ufiteyezu F.,2010,Prediction of Migina River Discharge in Contribution to

hydrometeorology in Rwanda, NUR.

29.Mwikarago W.,2008, The Aim of Methodology in Research, (p. 13).

30.Ward R., 1990,Principles of Hydrology, McGraw-Hill.

31.William, W. C. (1995). Groundwater Resources Evaluation. Walton C. William.

B.Webgraphy

1.www.climateprediction.net. (2012, April Wednesday). Home. Retrieved Wednesday

Wednesday, 2012, from www.climateprediction.net.

2.www.meteorwanda.gov.rw. (2008, August wednesday). Home. Retrieved November Monday,

2008, from http:// www.meteorwanda.gov.rw: 00-1244-3-11
 liv

3.www.Wikipedia.com ,2011, september Tuesday,25,: 00-1100001-02

APPENDIX
 lv

Appendix 1:Hydrologic components records and stations’coordinates in Migina

Parameter Station Station name Period of data Coordinates (UTM) Altitude

No availability UTM Zone: 35M (m)
X (m) Y (m)
Munyazi-
Discharge 1 Rwabuye From May 2011 806263 9713884 1662
2 Mukura From May 2011 804606 9707366 1618
3 Cyihene-Kansi From May 2011 806555 9702617 1577
Precipitation 1 Murama From May 2011 800129 9699128 1720
2 Vumbi From May 2011 800382 9709831 1824
3 Mpare From May 2011 803030 9711007 1691
4 Sovu From May 2011 800824 9717176 1764
5 Save B From May 2011 808328 9718265 1770
6 Muyira From May 2011 809227 9708819 1725
7 Kibilizi From May 2011 809300 9706476 1712
8 Gisunzu From June 2011 805956 9701364 1684
9 Rwasave From May 2011 806184 9712510 1665
10 Kansi A From May 2011 805555 9702817 1685
11 Rango From May 2011 805464 9707671 1708
12 Mubumbano From May 2011 803144 9705574 1808
13 CGIS* From Jan 2012 801485 9713790 1726
Evaporation 1 Rwasave From May 2012 806184 9712510 1665
2 Gisunzu From Jun 2011 807902 9700518 1684
 lvi

APPENDIX 2: Discharge charts in Miginacatchment

Kansi-Cyihene gauging station

y = 0.773x0.523
1.00 R² = 0.981
0.90
0.80
0.70
W ater Level H (m )

0.60
0.50 Series1 Power (Series1)

0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40
Q (m3 s-1)

Figure:Water level Vs Discharge at Kansi-Cyihene gauging station

 lvii

Rwabuye gauging station y = 1.009x0.183

R² = 0.859
1.30

1.10
1)

0.90 Series1 Power (Series1)

Water Level H (m)

0.70

0.50

0.30
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40
Q (m3 s-1)

Figure: Water Level Vs Discharge at Munyazi-Rwabuye gauging station

Appendix3:Photos of some marshland rivers ofMiginacatchment.

 lviii

Photo1: Francois at over flooded Cyiheneriver.Photo2:Francois Discharge measuring at Munyazi

river.
 lix

Photo3: Munyazi-Rwabuyeriver.Photo4: Cyihene river over flooded(May2012,10:00am).

 lx

Photo: Francois,Kibirizi station(Rainfall

data,Photo: Rainfall data at Kibirizi (Francois&Mutishereka)
 lxi

Evaporation Class A pan. Discharge measuring tool. Runoff conveys structure at

CyiheneRiver.