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Hydrological Modeling of the Chikugo River Basin Using SWAT: Insights into Water Balance and Seasonal Variability

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  • Francis Jhun Macalam

    (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
    Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City 9000, Philippines)

  • Kunyang Wang

    (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan)

  • Shin-ichi Onodera

    (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan)

  • Mitsuyo Saito

    (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan)

  • Yuko Nagano

    (Japan Forest Technology Association, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan)

  • Masatoshi Yamazaki

    (PASCO Corporation, Tokyo 153-0043, Japan)

  • Yu War Nang

    (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan)

Abstract

Integrated hydrological modeling plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable water resource management, particularly in regions facing seasonal and extreme precipitation events. However, comprehensive studies that assess hydrological variability in temperate river basins remain limited. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the performance of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in simulating streamflow, water balance, and seasonal hydrological dynamics in the Chikugo River Basin, Kyushu Island, Japan. The basin, originating from Mount Aso and draining into the Ariake Sea, is subject to frequent typhoons and intense rainfall, making it a critical case for sustainable water governance. Using the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Version 2 (SUFI-2) approach, we calibrated the SWAT model over the period 2007–2021. Water balance analysis revealed that baseflow plays dominant roles in basin hydrology which is essential for agricultural and domestic water needs by providing a stable groundwater contribution despite increasing precipitation and varying water demand. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of hydrological behavior in temperate catchments and offer a scientific foundation for sustainable water allocation, planning, and climate resilience strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Francis Jhun Macalam & Kunyang Wang & Shin-ichi Onodera & Mitsuyo Saito & Yuko Nagano & Masatoshi Yamazaki & Yu War Nang, 2025. "Hydrological Modeling of the Chikugo River Basin Using SWAT: Insights into Water Balance and Seasonal Variability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:7027-:d:1716214
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jimin Lee & Jeongho Han & Seoro Lee & Jonggun Kim & Eun Hye Na & Bernard Engel & Kyoung Jae Lim, 2024. "Enhancing Sustainability in Watershed Management: Spatiotemporal Assessment of Baseflow Alpha Factor in SWAT," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Joshua Kiprotich Kibii & Emmanuel Chessum Kipkorir & Job Rotich Kosgei, 2021. "Application of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to Evaluate the Impact of Land Use and Climate Variability on the Kaptagat Catchment River Discharge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    3. Matheswaran, K. & Khadka, A. & Dhaubanjar, Sanita & Bharati, Luna & Kumar, S. & Shrestha, S., 2019. "Delineation of spring recharge zones using environmental isotopes to support climate-resilient interventions in two mountainous catchments in far-western Nepal," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 27(6):2181-.
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