A pseudo-reservoir concept in SWAT model for the simulation of an alluvial floodplain in a complex tropical river system

The new formulation was applied in a complex tropical river system of Luanginga sub-basin, western Zambia. We propose novel pseudo-reservoir concept (hereinafter PSRC) the framework Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), to mimick model behavior an alluvial floodplain. Outflows from PSRC are predicated on conceptual storage-outflow-stage relationship, decomposed into overflow baseflow by considering floodplain hydrogeomorphic attributes their dynamics relation critical bankful height. tested for its skill improve simulation discharge. It`s performance evaluated against SWAT targeted release reservoir configuration without reservoir. demonstrated that via parameters dynamically significantly (p-value < 0.05) sensitive It improved discharge predictions four over 100 percent compared two control set-ups. Results were influenced sensitivities flow regime objective functions. configured with (SWATpsrc) only which accounted uncertainties ninety-five prediction uncertainty band (95PPU) very well. found SWATpsrc simulated average values (i.e 95PPU) replicated measured using state art acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) high degree accuracy (Nash-Sutcliffe 0.86; R2 0.96; PBIAS 10.7). All all, results indicated is robust model. together bands has potential improving understanding water resources typical environments as present study area. can also potentially be useful studies such restoration designs impact assessment modified floodplains.