Analysis of runoff, suspended sediment and nutrient yield from different tributaries to Zarivar lake in event and base flows

Although spatial and temporal variability of hydrological parameters are the main inputs for effective soil and water resources management in watershed scale, but this important subject has been scarcely taken into account. Hence, the runoff, suspended sediment and nutrient (Nitrate and Phosphate) yields from main tributaries of the Zarivar Lake were determined and their spatial and temporal variations were also investigated. A number of eight sampling points on the seven lake tributaries were monitored from March 2011 to April 2012 under base flow condition by daily sampling and event bases by hourly sampling intervals. The total yields of runoff, suspended sediment, nitrate and phosphate to the Zarivar lake during the study period were obtained to be 9.7 Mm3, 685.4 t, 25.4 t and 1.15 t, respectively. Almost seven storms were occurred during the same period due to which 1.61 Mm3 runoff, 685.4 t suspended sediments, 4 t nitrate and 211 Kg phosphate were transported. Some 8.1 Mm3 runoff, 718.65 kg suspended sediments, 21.4 t nitrate and 994.35 Kg phosphate were also entered into the Zarivar lake during base flow condition. The results of this study showed that northern parts of the watershed mainly contributed in runoff and nitrate yields. The maximum suspended sediments were also yielded by northern and western parts of the watershed. Whereas, the western parts of the watershed yielded the maximum phosphate to the Zarivar lake. The maximum contribution of runoff, suspended sediments, nitrate and phosphate were respectively happened in spring and winter seasons. About 82 percent of suspended sediments entered to the Zarivar lake during the study period just by one spring event with a duration of some 50 h. It clearly revealed more temporal variability of the suspended sediment and therefore further precaution for better management of soil and water resources of the closed Zarivar lake watershed.