Rainfall-Runoff Modelling Using SCS-CN Under HEC-HMS and GIS Techniques in Matadi Catchment of Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo

Georges Koshi Gimeya, Philomene Mbala Ilunga, Mohamed Lassaad KOTTI, Papy Kabadi Lelo Odimba, Issam NOUIRI

Abstract: Estimating runoff volumes using rainfall data has become critical in order to evaluate the required water storage capacity in reservoirs and assess the danger of flooding. The current research focuses on the creation of a hydrological model known as the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC-HMS), which is based on Digital Elevation Models (DEM). Through simulated rainfall-runoff processes, this hydrological model was used in conjunction with Geospatial Hydrologic Modelling Extension (HEC-GeoHMS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to predict the discharge of the Congo Central River catchment (Democratic Republic of Congo). Meteorological models were built in HEC-HMS utilizing daily rainfall data from 2010 to 2020, with control criteria established for a given time period and one-day time step. The Soil Conservation Service-Curve number (SCS-CN) was used for loss estimations, the SCS Unit Hydrograph technique for transformation, and the Muskingum method for routing. The model was calibrated and validated by comparing observed and simulated daily rainfall amounts. The results showed a strong connection between observed and simulated hydrographs, with a coefficient of determination of 70% for both calibration and verification. The dam's discharge was somewhat overstated even though it was successfully replicated for the given duration. These findings indicate that the model is suitable for hydrological simulations in the Matadi River catchment region.

Keywords: HEC-HMS, Kongo Central River, Hydrological modelling, Rainfall-Runoff, DRC

How to Cite?: Georges Koshi Gimeya, Philomene Mbala Ilunga, Mohamed Lassaad KOTTI, Papy Kabadi Lelo Odimba, Issam NOUIRI, "Rainfall-Runoff Modelling Using SCS-CN Under HEC-HMS and GIS Techniques in Matadi Catchment of Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo", Volume 14 Issue 10, October 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1429-1438, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25910212152, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25910212152