The objective of this work was to perform a quantitative analysis of the correlation between the forest burning index and abnormal decrease in river discharge under conditions of cryolithozone of Siberia. We analyzed the long-term and seasonal variation of rivers discharge in Central Siberia (Nizhnyaya Tunguska and Podkamennaya Tunguska rivers) and in Eastern Siberia (Aldan, Vilyui rivers) together with the forest burning dynamics within the river basins. The data on rivers discharge was obtained from the archive of The Global Runoff Data Centre for 1939–2015. Relative burned area (RBA) index was calculated from wildfires database collected using satellite technique for 1996–2017. RBA was evaluated as ratio of annual burned area within the river basins to the total area of the river basin. RBA values of 2.5–6.1% per year were considered as extremely high. The analysis of available chronologies of extreme fire events in Central and Eastern Siberia showed high correlation (r > –0.55) with long-term data on the runoff minima. Abnormally low level of discharge was 68–78% of the averaged annual rate. The most significant response of river discharge to the wildfire effect was shown for summer-autumn period of season after extreme burning in mid-summer.

Soil moisture takes an important part in involving climate, vegetation and drought. This paper explains that how to calculate the soil moisture index and the role of soil moisture. The objective of this study is to assess the amount of moisture content in soil and soil moisture mapping by using remote sensing data, in the selected study area. We applied the remote sensing technique with the purpose of relies on the use of soil moisture index (SMI) which in its algorithm uses the data obtained from satellite sensors. The relation between land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are based on experimental parameterization for Soil moisture index. Multispectral satellite data (visible, NIR and TIRS) were utilized for assessment of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and make vegetation indices map. GIS and image processing software utilized to determine the LST & NDVI. NDVI and LST are considered as essential data to obtain SMI calculation. The statistical regression analysis of NDVI and LST were shown in standardized regression coefficient. NDVI values are within range -1 to 1 where negative values present loss of vegetation or contaminated vegetation, whereas positive values explain that healthy and dense vegetation. LST values are the surface temperature in °C. SMI is categorized into classes from no drought to extreme drought to quantitatively assess drought. The final result is obtainable with the values range from 0 to 1, where values near 1 are the regions with a low amount of vegetation and surface temperature and present a higher level of soil moisture. The values near 0 are the areas with a high amount of vegetation and surface temperature and present the low level of soil moisture. The results indicate that this method can efficiently applied to estimation of soil moisture from multi-temporal Landsat images, which is valuable for monitoring agricultural drought and flood disasters assessment.

The Fisheating Creek watershed located in Florida, USA is the focus of intense efforts to reduce nutrient transport into Lake Okeechobee which is located downstream. Public agencies and private land owners have proposed constructing large nutrient removal basins in the watershed to reduce the overall nutrient load into Lake Okeechobee. This is challenging given the nature of the watershed with its low water availability and sensitivity to drought. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing nutrient removal systems in such a watershed including the overall risk and uncertainty of system performance. The study uses statistical evaluations of available water resources data and model simulations using HEC-HMS to evaluate watershed flow conditions. Then, the study outlines alternatives for nutrient removal system implementation. The study revealed that considerable nutrient reduction is feasible but not optimal due to low overall water availability. The primary conclusion is that while nutrient removal projects as large as 294 hectares can be constructed, the overall system operation will have to be very flexible to account for widely ranging inflows including very low flows during drought situations.

In the present study, using static land system parameters such as geomorphology, land cover and relief, we calculated water yield potential (RP) of all the watersheds of the Jhelum basin (Kashmir Valley) using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based watershed evaluation model (AHP-WEM). The results revealed that among the 24 watersheds of the Jhelum basin, Vishav watershed with the highest RP is the fastest water yielding catchment of the Jhelum basin followed by Bringi, Lidder, Kuthar, Sind, Madhumati, Rembiara, Sukhnag, Dal, Wular-II, Romshi, Sandran, Ferozpur, Viji-Dhakil, Ningal, Lower Jhelum, Pohru, Arin, Doodganga, Arapal, Anchar, Wular-I, Gundar, and Garzan in case of same intensity storm event. The results were validated with the mean annual peak discharge values of the watersheds and a strong positive correlation of 0.71 was found. Further, for forecasting the floods in the watersheds having small lag time, such as in case of Vishaw, Bringi and Lidder, we evaluated the performance of HEC-GeoHMS hydrological model to simulate stream discharge during storm events. It was observed that the model performs well for august-september period with strong positive correlation (0.94) between the observed and simulated discharge and hence could be used as a flood forecasting model for this period in the region.

So-called “Type IX” chute spillways with impact baffle blocks have been used successfully around the globe for over 50 years. A key advantage of the chute spillway is the elimination of a costly stilling basin allowing for a more simplistic outlet works design. The current design process is based upon physical models developed in the 1950s and observation of completed projects over the last 50 years. The design procedure is empirical and provides the designer with a range of workable layouts, baffle heights, and baffle spacing. Unfortunately, this approach may not be optimal. This first study of a longer research effort focus uses Monte-Carlo simulations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine the design methodology and physical model basis for the current design procedure. Initially, the study examined the design procedure with a Monte-Carlo simulation to explore the range of acceptable designs that can be realized. Then, using CFD, full-scale prototype (located in Gila, Arizona USA) physical model result that were a key basis for the current design procedure were recreated. The study revealed that a wide range of acceptable chute designs can result from following the current design procedure but that some of these may be better than others. The study also outlines future research efforts needed to revise the current design methodology.