Sediment yield assessment in the Upper Wadi Kebir catchment, Kébir Rhumel River, Northeast of Algeria (1973-2006)

Abstract

The present work represents an assessment of suspended sediment yield from the Upper Kebir Wadi catchment (1068 km²) over 33 years (from 1973 to 2006). Long-term of annual suspended sediment loads are estimated using non-linear power model, developed on mean discharge class technique as sediment rating curves. The results show that the mean annual sediment yield is equal to 884 T km^-2 yr^-1 during the study period. Moreover, the long term variability analysis of sediment load seems to be very high from year to year depending on climatic conditions. Most sediment loads are transported during the winter season, which represents 56% of the total sediment load. The understanding of sediment transport relationships gained from this study should provide a good starting point for managers and policy makers to begin addressing sediment issues within the catchment.

Keywords: Erosion- Cachement- Sediment- Upper Kebir Wadi-Kebir Rhumel