Korme, Tesfaye (PhD)Warku, Fikadu2019-11-132023-11-092019-11-132023-11-092019-05-04http://10.90.10.223:4000/handle/123456789/20092This study aimed to quantify the impact of land use/cover change and long-term climate variability on annual groundwater recharge of Upper Gibe watershed using Wetspass model. Understanding the spatial distribution of groundwater recharge with the response to Land use/cover change, hydro meteorological variability, soil texture, topography, and groundwater elevation parameters is important for management, proper utilization and future planning of water resources. Input data for the model were prepared in the form of grid maps using 30 m grid size and the parameter attribute tables were adjusted to represent the upper Gibe watershed condition using expert knowledge and scientific literature. The results of the model showed that the long-term temporal and spatial average annual rainfall of 1461 mm was partitioned to 292 mm (20%) of surface runoff, 818 mm (56%) of evapotranspiration, and 350 mm (24%) of recharge at first phase while annual rainfall of 1360mm was partitioned to 290 mm (21.32%) of surface runoff, 783 mm (57.57%) of evapotranspiration, and 287 mm (21.11%) of recharge at second. For the third phase, an annual rainfall of 1303 mm was partitioned to 292 mm (22.4%) of surface runoff, 790 mm (60.6%) of evapotranspiration, and 221 mm (17%) of recharge for the upper Gibe watershed. The analysis of the simulated result showed that WetSpass works well to simulate water balance components of upper Gibe watershed and is especially suitable for characterization the effects of land use/cover changes and hydro meteorological variability on the water resource in the watershed. The study result provide baseline information for water resource experts and policymakers of the region for further investigation of water resources, design, sustainable developmental activities and for land use managing and planning purpose.enWetspass ModelGroundwater RechargeUpper Gibe WatershedAnnual BasisThesis