Application of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to Evaluate the Impact of Land Use and Climate Variability on the Kaptagat Catchment River Discharge

Water is life. It an important element of the social and economic well-being society. Kenya a water-scarce country, ranked as 21st globally for worst levels water accessibility. The town Eldoret currently experiencing rapid population growth, resulting in ever-growing demand. On other hand, climate variability, land cover, use changes have altered hydrologic response Kaptagat catchment, one major sources Eldoret. This study uses SWAT model seeking to evaluate impact change variability on catchment yield, high variations river flows storage reservoir levels, suggests possible mitigation measures improve yield. was customized area, calibrated, validated, simulations were done establish yield flow over time. observes that with time, changed due increased settlement decrease forest cover (natural planted) from approximately 37% 1989 26% 2019. Rainfall events also decreased but became more intense. results changing response, occasioned by surface runoff baseflow groundwater recharge, hence at Elegirini Two Rivers dams during dry wet seasons, modeled. modeling management scenarios indicates recharge 17% 9%. Therefore, if ongoing afforestation, reafforestation, terracing practices farmers (although small-scale) increasing vegetation are adhered to, regime will significantly despite climatic variability.