Climate and its Impact on the Water Balance in Wasit Governorate

Abstract

     This research aims to identify the ranges of water surplus and deficit by calculating the climatic water balance to determine which climatic elements have the greatest influence, as well as to identify the periods of water surplus and deficit.

    The water balance was calculated by applying several equations, including Thornth waite, Ivanoff, and Penman, and extracting the monthly and annual averages of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration. The results showed two periods in terms of temporal distribution. Evaporation rates in Wasit Governorate were characterized by high levels, despite slight variations among the four meteorological stations. This indicates a high percentage of water deficit in most areas of the governorate. The climatic water balance is represented by the relationship between the amount of rainfall recorded at the meteorological stations of the governorate and the amount of water losses, which is calculated based on the potential evapotranspiration. It is also considered one of the important methods for determining the hydrological situation in terms of estimating the amount of water surplus or rainfall effectiveness, rationalizing water use, and the impact of climatic factors on this.