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International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7 (4.35) (2018) 880-884
International Journal of Engineering & Technology
Website: www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET
Research paper
One Dimensional Shallow Water Equation Streamflow
Modeling using WASH123D Model
H. Basri*
1,2
, L.M. Sidek
1,2
, D.S. Shih
3
, H.C. Lloyd
4
, W.H. Azad
2,5
, A.Z. Abdul Razad
6
1
Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia
2
Sustainable Technology and Environment Group, Institute of Energy Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia
3
Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
4
School of Engineering, Faculty of Science Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, Australia
5
Department of Irrigation & Drainage, Malaysia
6
TNB Research Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
*Corresponding author E-mail:BHidayah@uniten.edu.my
Abstract
Reservoir inflow forecasting assists dam operator in reservoir operation by providing advance information on lake level. This paper
discusses on the application of the physical-based numerical model to simulate one-dimensional channel network using WASH123D
Model. The model was developed to simulate streamflow at two locations namely Sg Kejar and Sg Tiang, located in the Temengor
catchment. The WASH123D model performed channel routing using shallow water equation. The model input data includes rainfall
from 5 rainfall stations, river cross sections and simulated runoff data using SCS Method. Due to unavailable observed data, results com-
parisons were performed using streamflow results obtained using InfoWorks RS Platform. The peak flow from simulation results at Sg
Kejar & Sg Tiang Station is 152.6m
3
/s and 36.6m
3
/s. The analysis shows good agreement for both simulations with Nash-Sutcliffe Effi-
ciency of 0.68 for Sg Kejar and 0.99 for Sg Tiang. It is suggested that model recalibration shall be made once there is enough water level
data to enable more accurate representation of spatial heterogeneity in the catchment processes.
Keywords: hydrological model, inflow forecasting, physical-based model, shallow water equation, WASH123D
1. Introduction
In the last few decades water especially river management and
restoration play an important role in the environment and thus,
numerous works have been done in this applied research field [1]–
[3]. The hydrological model often used for various water man-
agement functions such as flood and reservoir inflow forecasting
and other real-time operational applications [4]–[6]. Apart from
that, the hydrological model also applicable for off-line applica-
tion for design & planning. There are many available hydrological
models and can be categorized into three main types which are,
the transfer function (empirical black box), lumped conceptual and
physically based models [7]. Characterization of rainfall-runoff
models is made by a different level of complexity and data re-
quirement [8]. The model selection criteria can be made based on
the type of application, the catchment characteristics and the data
availability, different spatial and temporal scales, and different
model conceptualizations and parameterizations [9].
Nowadays, one of the concerns for hydrologists is natural inflows
to reservoirs [10]. Reservoir inflow forecasting enables appropri-
ate planning of reservoir operation. Furthermore, the advance
information can assist dam operators in ensuring the dam is
operated at the optimized condition while maintaining the safety
of the dams. This information is also pertinent to reduce the flood
risk at the downstream area by proper planning of water release
from the reservoir during a high rainfall event. The reservoir in-
flow forecasting incorporates catchment runoff process modeling,
channel routing model, storage routing algorithm, and reservoir
operating rules.
WASH123D is a finite element numerical model designed to sim-
ulate variably saturated, variable-density water flow, reactive
chemical transport, and sediment transport in watershed systems
[11].This model was used in this study due to its capability to
simulate flow in various component systems or combinations of
component systems of a watershed [12]–[15]. The model has been
successfully used to perform flood routing analysis due to a
typhoon in Yilan River, Taiwan [16].Additionally, the
WASH123D model was also used to model overland flow simula-
tions Huwei Science and Technology Park, Taiwan [17]. Another
application of WASH123D model was a simulation of the
typhoon-induced flood in Lanyang River basin, Taiwan [18].
However, currently, there is no literature found on the application
of WASH123D for simulation of reservoir inflow forecasting in
Malaysia.
This study uses the WASH123D model to simulate inflow into
Temengor Reservoir. The objective of this research project is to
develop an inflow forecasting system for the Temengor reser-
voir.According to [19], the inflow forecasting system provides
most useful outputs including river elevations, reservoir water
level and time of occurrence for peak discharges with lead times
that are sufficient to initiate appropriate responses by dam owner
and authorities.The information obtained from inflow forecasting
also essential to minimize the risk of dam failure [20]. Further-
more, advanced warning on dam failure enables more efficient