Using Statistical Hydrogeomorphology Method for Estimating Sediment Yield of Watersheds (Case study: Zonouz Chay and Zilber Chay watersheds)

Watershed erosion and sediment load of rivers are serious water resources management challenges, which have negative consequences on the operation of water installations and dams. This study has done with the aim of investigating the relationship between hydro geomorphologic characteristics and calculation the amount of especial deposition around watersheds, because of depending on the volume of runoff and soil erosion rates or sediment discharge with hydrogeomorphologic characteristics in the watershed. In order to achieving to the object of research and investigating the role of percent of vegetation cover density, slope rates and soil permeability in fancies formation, Zonouz Chai catchment, one of sub-basins of Zilber Chai watershed, which has a higher number of drainage density than other sub-basins was selected and the weights of all effective factors were calculated according to the analytic hierarchy method (AHP). Afterwards, based on the multiple regression model using stepwise method the correlation coefficients (R2) were determined at 95% confidence level and amount of runoff volume was calculated in Zonouz Chai and Zilber Chai based on SCS method. Finally, correlation coefficients of watershed characteristics were estimated and were replaced as exponential coefficients for discharge-sediment equation, which was suggested. Then especial deposition rates were calculated in Zonouz Chai and Zilber Chai respectively, 163 and 672 (ton/km2/y). Comparison of computational results with observational rates, based on 35 statistic data years, was found, in the two watersheds has acceptable accuracy at 85% and 91%, respectively.