Effects of Climatic Elements Variability on Surface Water in Selected Catchment Areas in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

In Kaduna State Nigeria, the climate in recent years has witnessed significant variability across the various catchment areas due to population pressure and anthropogenic activities. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the relationship between climatic elements on surface water in selected catchment areas in Kaduna State. The Meteorological data for the study were sourced from twelve remotely sensed stations around Kaduna State for thirty-seven years and Hydrological data from the State’s Water Board (KSWB) for thirty-seven years. The data computation, relationship between climate variability and water resources were established using Structural Equation Model (SEM) which has the statistical power to find the relationship between a phenomenon and other related parameters. Findings revealed that climatic variables have no significant impact on the water level across the three catchment areas of Galma, Kaduna Central and Amere/Mada since none of climatic variables have a significant effect which culminated to a negative water level in the catchment area but both rainfall and solar radiation have a positive relationship with water level which give rise to positive water level in the catchment area. Therefore, water resources availability in the catchment areas will not be under stressed by climate variation. The large amount of available water during the rainy season; crop varieties that can withstand much water should be planted in areas of high rainfall; and government policies related to agriculture and water resources development should be based on increase in rainfall and water resources trends in Kaduna State.