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Determination of Reservoir Capacity from Catchment Area of the Proposed

Dam in the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria

Article  in  International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research · February 2022

DOI: 10.31695/IJASRE.2022.8.1.8

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 International Journal of Advances in Scientific
Research and Engineering (ijasre) E-ISSN : 2454-8006

DOI: 10.31695/IJASRE.2022.8.1.8 Volume 8, Issue 1

January - 2022

Determination of Reservoir Capacity from Catchment Area of

the Proposed Dam in the Federal University of Agriculture
Makurdi, Nigeria
Malum Japhet Flayin1, Adenyuma Angus Peter2, Adgidzi Donald 3
1-3
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering
University of Agriculture,
Makurdi, Benue State. Nigeria

ABSTRACT
A proposed dam is to be built at a North Core watershed of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. Reservoir capacity
based on the mean inflow from the catchment yield into the proposed dam was assessed. The hydrological soil group of the area
was studied. Mean annual rainfall for a period of 31 years (1987 to2017) was used to determine the runoff from catchment areas.
Reservoir capacity was estimated using an analytical, mass curve, and residual mass curve methods. The area of the catchment
was 8.82km2. The mean annual runoff from catchment areas was 1222.59mm. The mean annual catchment yield (inflow) was
10,783,243.8m3. Cumulative inflow was used to prepare mass curve inflow into the reservoir at drafts 60% and 80% on the
cumulative draft line, superimposed on the cumulative mass curve. At draft 60%, reservoir capacity of 9,513,000m3 resulted; at
draft 80%, 10,549,000m3. The residual mass curve of the inflow from the catchment area at a draft of 60%, gave a reservoir
capacity of 3,632,000m3, while 80%, gave 4,426,000m3. An annual sediment discharge of 1302.02 tons was expected. A reservoir
capacity of 11,000,000m3 was recommended for the proposed dam. Installment of an upstream sedimentation basin, soil
conservation systems, vegetative screenings are recommended to reduce sediment load into the reservoir.
Keywords: Catchment area, Dam, Inflow Annual yield, reservoir capacity, Watershed.

1. INTRODUCTION
Water has traditionally been referred to as an inexhaustible gift of nature which is continuously renewed through the processes of
the hydrological cycle. As free and inexhaustible as it is , its distribution and availability in various parts of the world varies.
Some part experience water in abundance and sometimes in excess supply, others have moderate supply that is just enough while
in some other places there is little or no adequate supply from rainfall or any other sources. Water is a necessity for the
technological driven world and food security through agricultural practices of every society. It is also used for power generation,
as hydropower generating plants. Human activities and agricultural productivity is at the mercy of the supply of water, hence the
construction of hydraulic structures such as dams to facilitate water supply and availability [1].

A catchment area is a region where water is diverted by the means of structures to redirect water flowing from a river or stream
into a dam [2]. Most dams are built on rivers or streams to store the water, while other dams, depending on the purpose of
construction have inbuilt canal through which water is supplied to dam over a long or short distance from the source of water
supply. The most important consideration to make in choosing a site for construction of a dam therefore is the availability of water
supply sources, catchment characteristics such as inflow, dimension, elevation differential from proposed dam site, confluence (if
two or more streams are involved) and distance.

This study was done to identify and determine the required design capacity of the proposed dam (reservoir) based on volume of
water inflow into the catchment area of a proposed dam of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. And evaluate by
appropriate means and method the design capacity of the dam reservoir that will be sufficient to accommodate the volume of
inflow from the catchment areas.
1.1 Metrological and Geophysical characteristics of the Study Area
Hydrologic Soil Groups: Hydrologic Soil Groups are defined as the minimum annual steady ponded infiltration rate for a bare
soil surface. The hydrologic soil group (HSG) classification system places soils into groups based on their runoff producing
characteristics and depth to the average seasonal high water table (SHWT), depth to restrictive layer and saturated hydraulic
conductivity of the least transmissible layer [3]. HSGs are use in soil hydrology in calculation of curve number (CN); a method

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that has become standard to predict runoff[4], based upon land use type. A curve number of "100" is interpreted as a surface that
is 100% impervious. The United States Soil Conservation Service method was used in this study to estimate runoff assigned soils
into four groups (A, B, C, and D) [5; 6].
Climate: The climate is determined by the geographical location of the country. The southern part of the country(Nigeria) near
the coast is very humid with relatively high amounts of precipitation spread over a rainy season of six to nine months and dryer as
one progress northward with steady decrease in both precipitation amount and duration of rainy season. The project area lies in the
North central part of Nigeria. Meteorological stations that surrounds the area were used [7].
Rainfall: An examination of the rainfall records of Makurdi shows a definite rainy season between April and October with dry
season from November to March[8].
Temperature: Air temperature is closely linked with the rate of growth and development of plants. The highest mean daily
temperature are recorded during peak of dry season in March, while the lowest temperatures are recorded during the peak of
rainy season(June - September) and during intense of harmttan period in December and January [7].
Evaporation: Evaporation is the conversion of water from the liquid state to the vapour state in soils and transpiration(process by
which plants loose to the atmosphere). Both are referred to as evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration largely denotes water loss.
Water in reservoirs is lost due to evaporation. The rate of evaporation is determined length of sunshine, temperature and wind [9].
Geology: The area is located within the Middle Benue trough; it falls within a sedimentary basin [10]. The trough is 80-150m
wide and 800km long, north-west, south-west trending structures. Geologically, Benue State is underlain by both
sedimentary and basement rocks [11].
The lithostratigraphy of middle Benue Trough consists of shale, sandstone and limestone as the oldest dated sedimentary rocks,
with hard grey to black shales and siltstones. Such deposits are believed to represent typical shallow water deposits [12].
1.2 Reservoir (Dam) Storage Capacity
The storage capacity of a dam or reservoir is the volume of water that a dam can accommodate at full supply level (FSL) based on
design without overtopping. The storage capacity of a dam is one of the most important consideration made at the point of design,
to avoid errors that may arise in the course of the design. The dam capacity is estimated by calculating the volume of water
which is expected to flow into the dam from the catchment or a canal built into the dam. The storage capacity of the dam should
not exceed the calculated yield from the catchment area. Capacity of dam is calculated using the formula[13;14]:

Where;
Qr = Storage capacity of the reservoir in m3.
For design purpose Qr should not be less than catchment yield.
L = Length of the dam wall at full supply level (FSL) in m
T = Throwback of the reservoir in m and approximately a straight line from the wall.
H’ = Maximum height of the dam, in m, at FSL.
6 is a factor (conservative generally) that can be adjusted (to 5 or 4) with experience and local knowledge. [13].
1.2.1 Catchment Area
A catchment area is a river(s) or stream(s) whose flow is diverted by means of hydraulic structures into a dam. Most dams
are built on a river, along a river or at the confluence point of streams flowing. The inflow from the catchment which is
otherwise known as the catchment yield determines the size of the dam and gives an estimate of the design capacity of the
dam that is to be built. The catchment yield Y is given in m3, by [13]:
2
3
Y = Catchment yield per unit time in a year i.e. catchment yield in an average year (m ),
Q = Direct uniform runoff (mm); A = Area of the catchment (km2).
1.2.2 Catchment area peak flood
The peak flood is the probable maximum flood to be expected as runoff from a catchment following a rainfall of estimated
intensity and duration for a selected return period taking into account the hydrological characteristics of the catchment. The peak
flood gives the designer insight into the maximum runoff rate from the catchment into the dam; it is calculated using the rationally
method of fuller’s empirical formula which used to rationally estimate the peak flood [13] as:
( )( )
where;
Qmax = Maximum flow (m3/s); C= Runoff coefficient; A = Area of the catchment in km2
Tr = Recurrence interval

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1.2.3 Sedimentation of reservoirs

In reservoirs, sedimentation is a phenomenon in which the sediment particles get deposited in the form of bed load and suspended
load after separating from their origin [15]. Rainfall dominates over the surface runoff in West Africa (256 times) [16]. When a
dam impounds a river, the inlet flow velocity to the reservoir decreases by part of transported sediment being deposited in the
reservoir [17]. The dam and reservoir act like a sediment trap, and after depositing sediment, relatively clean water is released
through the gates and weirs [18]. The amount of sediment yield depends on different factors, such as watershed area, vegetation,
geology and formations of the region, as well as temporal and spatial distribution and duration and intensity of rainfall [19;20;21;
22].

2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Study Area
The study area is located at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, North Core area in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue
State. The geographical location of Makurdi is at 7 ○44’ north, 8○32’ east. Nigeria is located at latitude 7.7○ and longitude 8.5○ and
the average elevation of Makurdi is 104 meters[7] (Figs.1 and 2).

2.1.1 Materials/equipment
The materials that were used for the study are from:
 Topographical map of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi: For studying the geophysical features of the catchment
area.
 Hydrological data of Makurdi: For determining annual rainfall, runoff coefficient, annual runoff from catchment and peak
flood from catchment.
 Hydrologic soil group chart: For determining the hydrologic soil type of the watershed.
 Table of curve numbers: For determining the curve number of soil type from the hydrologic soil group.
 Google earth satellite and GPS locations software: For surveillance, imaging, marking out catchment areas and measurement
of distance on the project area.
 Mathematical set: For reading distances and position on the topographical map.

2.1.2 Catchment Drainage (Streams)

From survey and site investigations as well as information from topographical map and satellite surveillance, there are three major
streams that flow within the catchment area of the University identified as: stream A, stream B and stream C (Figs. 3 and 4). The
three streams flow down from three separate courses to the confluence point A where the dam is to be sited (Fig. 3). The
topographical map of the project area (Fig. 4) clearly shows the catchment streams, the elevation at the source of the streams and
the proposed site of the dam which is at the point of their confluence behind the school chaplaincy (Chapel of the good
Shepherd).The map extract in Fig. 3 shows clearly the catchment streams and their elevations from their sources. The three
catchment streams are identified as:
Stream A: the stream that flows from around the ring road to the west and flows down southwards towards the college of
agronomy to the point of confluence behind the school chaplaincy (Fig. 4).
Stream B: the stream that flows from North core animal farm to the east of the ring road and flows down towards the college of
Agronomy, join stream A and flows together to the confluence point.
Stream C: the stream flowing behind the clinic, around it to the north and all the way to the point of confluence.

Distance of stream A to D (X1cm) was calculated using the formula:

The X1 in kilometers(km).
Stream (B) has a measured distance of 17.8cm on the topographical map. Given from the map(1cm = 150 m); 17.8cm = X 2cm
Distance of stream B to D (X2cm) in figure 3 was calculated using the formula:

The X2 in km. Stream (C) has a measured distance of 12.3cm on the topographical map. Therefore: 12.3cm = X 3 cm; Distance of
stream C to D (X3cm) in figure 3 will be calculated using the formula:

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Benue State
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria Showing Benue State

Figure 2: Map of Benue State Showing Makurdi - Project Area

Source: [23].

North Core Area of the University

University Clinic Proposed Dam Site

Stream C

Stream B
College of Engineering

Stream A

Figure 3: Google Earth Image of Project Area Showing Notable Structures on the Catchment Area
Source: [24]

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Figure 4: Topographical Map of the Project Area Showing Catchment Streams. Source: [25].
2.2. Estimation of Catchment Streams Distance from Proposed Dam Site
From the topographical map which has a scale of 1:15000, (1cm on the map represent 150 meters of ground distance) [25], the
length of the three catchment streams from their point of flow to the dam site of ground elevation was measured(Plate 1).
Stream (A) (Fig. 5) has a measured distance of 15.4cm on the topographical map. Given from the map that 1cm represents 150
meters of ground distance (1cm = 150 m), therefore: 15.4cm = X1 cm.

Plate 1: Catchment streams during Rainy Season into Proposed Dam Site Area
Source: Site Investigation at Catchment Area.

2.3 Determination of Reservoir Capacity

The reservoir storage capacity will be determined on the basis of the inflow to the reservoir from the catchment (catchment yield)
[26]. Three methods were used to determine the inflow from catchment to the reservoir which are;
 Rational or analytical method
 Mass curve method
 Residual mass curve method
2.3.1 Rational or analytical method
The rational method involves the use of formula, tables, chart and graphs of catchment characteristics to determine the storage of
reservoir.
Catchment yield (Y): The catchment yield is the expected annual runoff from a catchment areas and is an important factor in the
feasibility of a dam, height of embankment and the capacity of the dam [13]. Inflow is determined by the catchment yield which is
based on the annual runoff from the catchment. The mean annual rainfall data for Makurdi for 31 years was used to estimate the
runoff from the catchment areas. The runoff from the catchment area was determined using the US Soil Conservation Service
(SCS), which is a method of determining the runoff from a catchment area rationally.

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105m

87m Stream A
102m

X
108m
84m AG Z

EG
FST

UC

99m
D

84m
KEYS
D = Proposed dam site (confluence of the catchment streams)
AG = College of Agronomy
UC = School Clinic
FST = FST Complex
EG = Engineering Complex
Z = Zamfara Hostel
X = College of Agricultural Economics & Extension
R = University Ring Road (North core)
Untarred road

Catchment streams
Ring road
North core road
84m – 108m Site elevations

Figure 5: Map Outline Showing the Proposed Project Area and the Catchment Streams

i. Determination of catchment yield (runoff) using the SCS

The US Soil Conservation Service (SCS) runoff curve method number was used to estimate the runoff volume of the catchment.
The curve number method considers losses in natural catchment such as; rain interception by vegetation, infiltration, trapping in
soil due to depression and loss due to evaporation. The SCS runoff equation given by [27] as:
( )

where:
Q = Direct uniform runoff (mm); P = Accumulated rainfall (potential maximum runoff) (mm)
S = Potential maximum retention after runoff begins (mm); Ia = Initial abstraction
Initial abstraction is (Ia) is the maximum amount of rainfall absorbed without producing runoff. It includes:
All losses before runoff begin; Water retained in surface depression and water intercepted by vegetation, evaporation and
infiltration.

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Ia is highly variable but generally correlated with soil cover parameters. Through studies of many small water sheds, I a was found
to be approximated by the empirical equation [5]:
Ia = 0.2S 6
By substituting for Ia the equation becomes[27]:
( )

S, which is the soil potential maximum retention after runoff begins, is related to the soil and cover conditions of the catchment
area through the curve number (CN). CN has a range of 0 to 100, and S is related to CN[27] as:

The major factors that determine CN are: The hydrologic soil group (HSG), Cover type, Treatment, Hydrologic conditions and
Runoff condition. Infiltration rates of soil vary widely and are affected by subsurface permeability and surface intake rate. Soils
are classified into four hydrologic soil group, group A, group B, group C and group D according to their minimum infiltration
rate[4] (Nielsen and Hjelmfelt,1998). The catchment area is an agricultural watershed of soil group C, the curve number was
determined using a table of runoff curve numbers for agricultural watersheds. The catchment yield Y in m3 is given by [13] as:
Y = Q x A x 1000 9
Where:
Y = Catchment yield per unit time in a year i.e. catchment yield in an average year (m3)
Q = Direct uniform runoff (mm); A = Area of the catchment (km2)
ii. Peak flood
The peak flood is the probable maximum flood (PMF) to be expected from a catchment following a rainfall of estimated intensity
and duration for a selected return period taking into account the hydrological characteristics of the catchment [13]FAO (2010).
The peak flood was calculated using Fuller’s formula[28] :
Qmax= C x A0.8(1+0.8 log Tr)(1+2.67 A-0.2) 10
where;
Q = Maximum flow (m3/s); C = Runoff coefficient; A = Area of the catchment in km2
Tr = Recurrence interval (taken as 100 years).

2.3.2 Mass curve method

A mass curve of inflow (or mass curve) is a plot of accumulated flow in a stream against time [26]. Ripple [29] determined the
capacity of a reservoir by the mass curve method. This method is based solely on the historical inflow record. The reservoir mass
curve has many useful applications in the design of a storage capacity, such as determination of reservoir capacity, operations
procedure and flood routing [30]. The reservoir capacity was calculated using the following steps:
A mass curve of the historical stream flows (annual data) was constructed; the slope of the cumulative draft line was determined
and the cumulative draft line for the reservoir was superimposed on the mass curve. Measuring the largest intercept between the
mass inflow curve and the cumulative draft line gives the reservoir capacity [31]. To obtain the reservoir capacity estimation
using mass curve method therefore; a stream flow interval of 31 years (1987 to 2017, 372 months) was used to get the maximum
available capacity of the reservoir.
2.3.3 Residual mass curve
McMahon and Mein [31] (1986), defined Residual mass curve as a slightly more complicated version of the mass curve, but with
a much more appropriate graphical scale for the determination of the storage size. This method is used by subtracting the mean
flow from each flow value of the record, the results called residual values are plotted cumulatively and the cumulative draft line is
superimposed such that the draft line is tangential to each hump of the residual curve, after that measuring the largest intercept
between the mass inflow curve and the draft line.
2.4 Sediment Yield
The rate at which the capacity of the reservoir is reduced by sedimentation depends on: The quantity and velocity of sediment
inflow; the percentage of sediment inflow trapped in the reservoir and the density of the deposited sediment. The mean annual
suspended load, Qs in tons as function of mean annual discharge Q in cubic metres per second for various vegetal covers is given
by the Fleming equation[32]:
11
Where:
Qs = Sediment discharge in tonnes per annum; Q = is the mean annual runoff (m3/s)
“a”and “n” are constants for various vegetal cover [33].

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3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Results
Three methods were used to determine the reservoir capacity based on annual inflow from catchment area. The three methods
were the rational/analytical method, mass curve method and the residual mass curve method. Monthly rainfall data for a period
between 1987 and 2017 was collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency [8] and used to estimate annual inflow from the
catchment area.

3.1.1 Rational/analytical method

Calculating catchment yield per annum: From equation 8, potential maximum retention after runoff begins S is given as:

CN was determined to be equal to 74; the value of S was calculated as:

;
Direct uniform runoff Q in mm (from equation 7) is given as:
( )
( )
Where:
P = Accumulated rainfall (potential maximum runoff in mm); S = Potential maximum retention after runoff begins. Mean annual
rainfall for 31 years (1987 – 2017) was 1226.86 mm (Table 1); P is therefore equal to 1226.86 mm. Direct uniform runoff Q is
calculated as thus:
( )
;
Direct uniform runoff Q from catchment = 1222.59 mm.
Mean annual catchment yield Y given in equation 9 as:
Where:
Y = Catchment yield in m3; Q = Direct uniform runoff in mm; A = Area of catchment in km 2 and was measured to be
approximately 8.82 km2 using the Google earth software (Fig. 5).
Catchment yield: was calculated as:
3
;
3
Mean catchment yield Y per annum = 10,783,243.8 m .
Calculating peak flood from catchment: Peak from catchment was calculated using equation 10, given as:
Qmax= C x A0.8(1+0.8 log Tr)(1+2.67 A-0.2).
Where:
Q = Maximum flow (m3/s); C = Runoff coefficient; A = Area of the catchment in km2 which is 8.82 km2; Tr =
Recurrence interval (taken as 100 years).
Runoff soil for heavy soil (group C soil in the HSG) with crop is estimated to be 0.20[34], peak flood from the catchment is
calculated as:
( )( ); /s.
Table 1 gives the calculated monthly, annual and mean inflow between the periods of 1987 – 2017 from the catchment to the
reservoir. The mean total of the annual inflow which was calculated to be approximately 10.459 × 10 6 m3 gives the required
design capacity of the reservoir based on the inflow from the catchment. Figure 6 is a curve of the total annual inflow between
1987 and 2017.
3.1.2 Mass Curve Method
This method is based solely on the historical inflow record. The reservoir capacity was determined by preparing a mass curve of
the cumulative inflow between the period of 1987 and 2017. The cumulative draft line is superimposed on the mass curve. The
largest intercept between the mass inflow curve and the cumulative draft line gives the required design capacity of the reservoir as
the mass curve of cumulative inflow (Fig. 7). The line GH in Figure 7 is the cumulative draft line of the mass curve. A slope of
60% and 80% of the draft line is taken to determine required design storage of the reservoir [35]. At 60% of the draft line number
of years was calculated as:
( ) Years
The period of 19 years from 1993 – 2012 was taken to determine the slope of the draft line for draft 60% and slope of the draft
line was calculated using the formula:

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Table 1: Calculated 31 Years (1987 – 2017) Monthly Inflow (m3 106) from Catchment Area for the
Rational/Analytical Method (Y = Q × A × 1000)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total annual
inflow (reservoir
Capacity)
1987 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.195 0.145 1.138 0.800 1.775 3.889 1.355 0.000 0.000 9.451
1988 0.000 0.000 0.0 0.538 1.575 0.653 1.367 1.805 1.278 0.807 0.000 0.064 8.087
1989 0.000 0.000 0.019 0.615 1.751 1.596 1.711 1.252 1.546 1.484 0.000 0.000 8.586
1990 0.000 0.000 0.0 0.338 0.932 1.755 1.364 1.881 3.375 0.734 0.016 0.114 10.509
1991 0.000 0.000 0.348 1.649 2.646 0.691 0.826 2.084 1.564 1.484 0.000 0.000 11.294
1992 0.617 0.004 0.041 0.301 0.982 0.549 1.263 1.234 2.667 0.692 0.564 0.000 8.914
1993 0.000 0.000 0.753 0.423 1.576 2.558 2.411 1.568 2.867 3.113 0.000 0.000 15.270
1994 0.238 0.000 0.0 0.518 1.327 0.952 0.723 1.882 1.619 0.134 0.000 0.000 8.337
1995 0.000 0.039 0.136 0.309 0.749 3.122 0.940 2.508 1.052 1.359 0.107 0.000 10.322
1996 0.000 0.001 0.0 0.961 1.194 2.126 1.806 2.538 2.179 0.870 0.000 0.000 11.675
1997 0.000 0.000 0.013 1.879 0.874 1.438 0.771 1.378 3.327 2.079 0.000 0.000 11.759
1998 0.000 0.000 0.0 1.190 1.377 0.988 2.132 3.067 2.805 0.826 0.000 0.000 12.385
1999 0.009 0.000 0.372 0.988 1.363 2.681 1.167 3.067 3.416 1.368 0.000 0.000 14.431
2000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.850 1.007 2.002 1.523 2.951 1.316 0.697 0.000 0.000 10.352
2001 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.8688 1.223 2.117 0.847 2.214 1.908 0.325 0.000 0.000 9.508
2002 0.000 0.000 0.363 0.697 0.969 1.508 1.657 1.902 3.113 0.957 0.177 0.000 11.344
2003 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.497 0.263 1.764 1.051 1.282 1.221 0.339 0.297 0.000 6.715
2004 0.000 0.000 0.069 0.591 0.647 1.446 1.498 1.633 1.435 1.301 0.006 0.000 7.596
2005 0.000 0.000 0.194 0.378 0.798 1.850 1.256 0.994 1.406 0.807 0.000 0.000 7.685
2006 0.440 0.000 0.117 0.230 2.438 0.969 2.846 1.897 2.022 0.913 0.000 0.000 11.874
2007 0.000 0.000 0.077 1.102 1.504 1.852 1.009 2.405 1.922 1.933 0.014 0.000 11.818
2008 0.026 0.000 TR 1.306 1.287 1.641 0.719 2.471 0.732 0.745 0.009 0.000 8.938
2009 0.018 0.000 0.026 1.588 1.678 2.113 0.759 2.428 1.239 2.506 0.011 0.000 12.367
2010 0.000 0.000 0.111 0.276 1.188 1.053 1.699 1.571 2.695 1.030 0.211 0.000 9.837
2011 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.688 1.259 0.533 0.767 1.917 2.399 2.597 0.000 0.000 10.161
2012 0.000 0.004 0.000 1.263 1.281 1.416 3.104 1.537 2.564 1.756 0.241 0.000 13.166
2013 0.000 0.000 0.389 1.084 1.618 1.250 2.149 1.155 2.516 1.107 0.000 0.089 11.358
2014 0.035 0.035 0.297 0.497 1.416 1.455 1.140 2.422 2.707 0.887 0.233 0.041 11.167
2015 0.000 0.986 0.034 0.156 0.328 0.208 1.232 2.991 1.123 0.731 0.148 0.000 7.938
2016 0.000 0.000 0.419 0.804 2.099 0.436 1.902 1.886 2.372 1.024 0.000 0.000 10.941
2017 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.761 1.927 1.066 1.041 1.978 1.017 0.652 0.005 0.000 8.449
Mean 0.198 0.178 0.218 0.759 1.249 1.462 1.415 1.989 2.142 1.199 0.145 0.077 10.459
Min 0.018 0.001 0.019 0.156 0.145 0.208 0.719 0.994 0.732 0.134 0.006 0.041 6.715

Max 0.617 0.986 0.753 0.986 2.646 3.122 3.104 3.067 3.889 3.113 0.564 0.114 15.270

Where:
Cfyr2 = Cumulative inflow at yr2; Cfyyr1= Cumulative inflow at yr1
yr1 = First year; yr2 = Last year. For draft 60% yr1 = 1993; and yr2 = 2012,
Cf2012 = 272.381 × 106 m3 (Table1 and Fig. 7); Cf1993 = 72.111 × 106 m3(Table 1, Fig.7).
( )
S =
.
Where:
Y = Catchment yield in m3; Q = Direct uniform runoff in mm;
A = Area of catchment in km2 and was measured to be approximately 8.82 km2 using the Google earth software (Fig. 5).
Measuring largest intercept between the mass inflow curve and the draft line, required reservoir capacity from cumulative curve =
294.6 ×106 m3.
= 9.513 ×106 m3
Reservoir capacity for draft at 60% per annum = 9.513 ×106 m3.
For draft at 80%:

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Where:
Cfyr2 = Cumulative inflow at yr 2; Cfyyr1= Cumulative inflow at yr1
yr1 = First year; yr2 = Last year. For draft at 80% yr1 = 1989 and yr2 = 2014,
Cf2014 = 294.906 × 106 m3 (Fig. 7); Cf1989 = 26.124 × 106 m3 (Table 2, Fig.7).
( )
=

Measuring largest intercept between the mass inflow curve and the draft line, required reservoir capacity from cumulative curve =
313.8 ×106 m3.
= 10.123 ×106 m3
Required design capacity of reservoir for draft at 80% per annum = 10.123 ×10 6 m3.

3.1.3 Residual mass curve method

This method is used by subtracting the mean flow from each inflow value of Table 1, the results called residual values are plotted
cumulatively and the cumulative draft line is superimposed such that the draft line is tangential to each hump of the residual curve,
after that measuring the largest intercept between the mass inflow curve and the draft line. Mean inflow is 10,459,000 m 3 (Table
1). Fig. 8 is the residual mass of curve of the cumulative residual inflow from catchment. A draft of 60% and 80% is taken to
estimate reservoir capacity. Line EF on the residual mass curve corresponds to draft 60% on the mass curve and the estimated
reservoir capacity is 3.632 ×106 m3. Line IJ corresponds to draft 80% on the residual mass curve and the estimated reservoir
capacity is 4.426 × 10 m3.
3.1.4 Calculating sediment discharge from catchment
Sediment discharge from catchment to reservoir will be estimated using Fleming’s equation (equation 11) given as:

Qs = Sediment discharge in tonnes; Q = is the mean annual runoff (m3/s)

“a” and “n” are constants for various vegetal covers. Mean annual runoff of 10.549 ×10 6 m3.

18
Annual inflow from catchment ( ×106

16
14
12
10
m3)

8
6
4
2
0

Year (1987 - 2017)

Figure 6: Inflow Hydrograph of catchment (1987 – 2017)

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Mass Curve of Cumulative Inflow (1987-2017)

350 H

300
Cumulative inflow (m3×106)

250

200

150

100

50
G
0
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
0
Years (1987-2017)

Figure 7: Mass curve of cumulative inflow (1987 – 2017)

Residual Mass Curve

6
I
E
4
Cumulative residual inflow (m3 ×106)

2 J

0 F
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

-2

-4

-6

-8
Years (1987-2017)

Figure 8: Residual mass curve of cumulative residual inflow (1987 – 2017)

= 0.33 m3/s
Mean annual runoff in m3/s = 0.33 m3/s
Catchment is made of coniferous forest and tall grassland, “a” is 3196 and “n” is 0.82.
Sediment discharge, Qs = 3196 × 0.330.82 m3/s; Sediment discharge, Q = 1302.02 tonnes per annum.

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3.2 Discussion
3.2.1 Rational/analytical method of determining the reservoir capacity

In this method, an analysis of rainfall and inflow from catchment per month of the year is made to determine the required design
capacity of dam from the catchment yield. The expected catchment yield (annual runoff) is estimated from the annual rainfall of
Makurdi from record of 31 years (1987 to 2017). Catchment characteristics were investigated during field-work at the catchment
to determine its runoff properties. The catchment area is made up of soil of fine texture, having slow infiltration rate when
thoroughly wet hence impeding the downward movement of water (infiltration). The soil has a slow rate of transmission. From the
catchment investigation, the catchment soil is of the hydrologic soil group C(Soils having a slow infiltration rate). The catchment
area consists of good pasture and grassland, with portions used for mild farming of tuber, legume and grain (rice) crops. From the
runoff curve numbers for agricultural lands (Table 1), the catchment soil HSG group C has a runoff curve number of 74. The
analytical method gives an approximate value of the required design capacity of the reservoir based on the inflow from catchment.
The reservoir capacity was calculated to be approximately 10,783,243.8 m3. With a time reoccurrence of 100 years and a runoff
coefficient of 0.2, the peak flood from catchment was estimated to be 8.02 m3/s. Mean annual inflow from catchment was
calculated to be 10.549 ×106 m3.

3.2.2 Mass curve method

The graph of the mass curve is given in Fig.7. The cumulative inflow from catchment is given in Table 2. A draft at 60% and 80%
was taken on the draft line GH (Fig. 7) to estimate the reservoir capacity. For draft at 60%, the required reservoir capacity was
294.6 ×106 m3 and 9.513 ×106 m3 per annum. For draft at 80%, the required capacity was 313.8 ×106 m3 and 10.123 ×106 m3.

3.2.3 Residual mass curve method

The residual curve of the inflow is given in Fig. 8. The residual curve gives the residual reservoir capacity for dry periods; the
curve gives the least design capacity of reservoir sufficient to hold the inflow from the catchment. A draft at 60% and 80% was
used to estimate reservoir capacity. Line EF (Figure 8) represents draft at 60% and line IJ (Fig. 8) represents draft of 80%. The
intercept between the mass inflow curve and the draft line gives the required design capacity of the reservoir. For draft at 60%,
reservoir capacity is 3.632 ×106 m3 and for draft at 80%, reservoir capacity is 4.426 ×106 m3. The comparative reservoir capacities
by the 3 different methods (Analytical, Mass Curve and Residual Mass Curve) are as shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Comparison of the Reservoir Capacity by Different Methods

Method Storage Estimate (× 106 m 3)

Analytical method 10.783
Analytical method (Tabulated) 10.549
Mass curve method (draft at 60%) 9.513
Mass curve method (draft at 80%) 10.123
Residual mass curve method (draft at 60%) 3.632
Residual mass curve method (draft at 80%) 4.426

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Conclusions
Three methods (Analytical, Mass Curve and Residual Mass Curve) were used in determining reservoir capacity. Monthly and
annual mean flow data calculated from monthly rainfall data for a period between 1987 and 2017 were used as input data of case
study.

The highest reservoir capacity resulted from the Analytical method and the Mass Curve method for draft at 80% which were
10.783 ×106 m3 and 10.123 ×106 m3 respectively. The least resulted from the Residual Mass Curve Method for draft at 60% which
was 3.623 ×106 m3. The Residual Mass Curve gives the minimum allowable reservoir capacity for dry periods which can be taken
as dead storage. It is observed that the year 2002 shows maximum reservoir storage capacity and the year 1992 shows the
minimum. Sediment yield from catchment areas into the reservoir was estimated to be 1302.02 tonnes per annum. The reservoir
capacity can be used in addition to other water requirements within the University community to generate hydroelectricity.
4.2 Recommendation
It is recommended that; the Analytical method should be used to size the capacity of the reservoir. Sedimentation basins should
be installed at the upstream course of the catchment area to reduce sediment load into the reservoir. The use of vegetative screens,

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soil conservation methods (terraces), installation of sluice gates and dredging of settled materials at appropriate levels should be
incorporated into design of the dam. Full feasibility studies for hydropower generation should be carried out.

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