Assessment of characteristics and distinguished hydrological periods of a river regime

This study was carried out to analyze the hydrological characteristics and assess the distinguished hydrological periods of Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Rivers of Pakistan. For this purpose, statistical analysis (variation coefficient, the auto-correlation coefficient, sequential Mann–Kendall’s test) and a proposed method for distinguishing hydrological periods (described in methodology section) were applied. The results revealed that all rivers reflect moderate variability. The results of auto-correlation displayed that the river flow observed at Astore gauging station only indicated independency, while for Gilgit, Hunza and Kachura guaging at Indus River exhibited 2, 2, 4-year lag. The mutation analysis indicated that after 1980, the change point occurred at all UIB rivers. During analysis, it was also observed that river regimes have the same hydrological periods (i.e., 4), but with different dates of occurrence. The Gilgit River showed a low high-flow hydrological period compared to Astore, Hunza and Kachora (Indus). This difference may be due to the river’s own area natural conditions. The current analysis may be helpful for planning and management of water resources, designing of hydraulic structures and to make better policies in response to agricultural water requirement downstream of UIB River.