Simulation modelling of runoff, groundwater flow and sediment transport into Kastoria Lake, Greece

Kastoria Lake is located in northwestern Greece. The whole basin of the lake is about 253 km². For the computation of the surface water volume inflowing into the lake from the main streams of the sub-basins located around Kastoria Lake, a rainfall-runoff sub-model is used. A quasi-three-dimensional simulation model of the Kastoria basin aquifer is also realized, in order to estimate the groundwater contribution to the volumetric budget of the lake and the whole basin as well. For the computation of sediment load inflowing into the lake from the main streams of the sub-basins, the rainfall-runoff sub-model is combined with a soil erosion sub-model and a sediment transport sub-model for streams. A GIS was developed in the hydrologic basin with all data needed for parameter identification and model application. The data base was enriched by a series of on site measurements of water discharge made in all main streams for one whole hydrologic year. By means of the resulting mathematical sediment model, those sub-basins, which deliver most sediment load to the lake, are identified. On the basis of this identification, a series of control measures, for the reduction of sediment inflowing into the lake, at certain places of the above mentioned sub-basins is proposed.