Simulation Effects of Soil and Water Conservation in Rangelands on Runoff Characteristics Using HEC-HMS Model (A Case Study: Rangelands of Meikhoran Watershed, Kermanshah Province)

Due to the lack of necessary equipment for measuring and recording changes in watershed runoff and flood situation after the implementation of corrective actions, using hydrologic models is considered as an efficient tool to assess the undertaken actions and simulate the behavior of the watershed before and after the implementation of these measures. The present study aimed to simulate the effects of corrective actions on runoff components using HEC- HMS hydrological models in the form of a rangeland and watershed plan in 2006 and the predicting plan of applicable operations in a region in the Meikhoran watershed, Kermanshah. For this purpose, three scenarios including the conditions before running the rangeland and watershed plan, the conditions after running the project and requirements and enforcement actions resulting from the proposed location map were considered in the spring of 2006. First, a map of the curve number (CN) changes was prepared under all three scenarios caused by the vegetation changes and by implementing HEC-HMS model, the curve number criteria, the peak discharge and flood volume were determined to assess the changes in hydrological basins and their values for all three scenarios were calculated and compared. The results showed that the HEC- HMS model for the base period (first scenario) with Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient 0/551 and the coefficient of determination 0/63 had an acceptable accuracy in predicting runoff. Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient for the second and third scenarios was 766/0 and 0/777, respectively. Also, the results showed that in the second scenario, there was an 8/85 and 7/74% decrease in the peak flows and runoff volumes, respectively, and these values for the proposed operation were estimated to be 12.84% and 6.33%, respectively. Overall, the results indicated the considerable impact of rangelands and watershed management (third scenario) on the reduction of effective runoff components, particularly flood peak, on the basis of the location model.