Physiographic Analysis of Tehri Dam Catchment and Development of GIUH Based Nash Model for Ungauged Rivers

Abstract

Advanced information about incoming flows is required for operation of a variety of hydraulic structures including multipurpose storage hydropower projects. Inflow forecasts are used for optimum power generation during non -monsoon season and operation of gates and spillways during the flood season. In order to develop an inflow forecasting system for a reservoir, it has been observed that many a times number of ungauged rivers directly falling into the reservoirs are not accounted for. Such is the case for the Tehri Reservoir, where 16 small rivers/tributaries which are directly contributing to Tehri reservoir are ungauged. In the present study an attempt has been made to carry out physiographic objective Tehri catchment and to develop Geomorphological Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (GIUH) for ungauged rivers/tributaries directly falling into the reservoir. GIUH developed for the ungauged rivers can be used to simulate the runoff from all the 16 ungauged rivers. Combining these GIUH models with a hydrological model of the other gauged rivers of the Tehri Catchment in the form of a network model provides a complete rainfall-runoff model. Thus, this study provides a useful input for the development of inflow forecasting model for the Tehri Dam as the network model can be used as flood forecasting model.