PhD Thesis Emmanuel Obeng Bekoe - Cranfield University

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Based on the above analysis, it is not considered appropriate to proceed further
to use the ACRU model to simulate the hydrological impacts of scenarios of
future catchment change in the Densu Basin until the situation of data quality
and paucity within the Densu Basin is addressed in order for better simulations
to be attained.
6.10 Improving Quality of Data Available for Hydrological
Modelling
Within a data poor catchment such as the Densu, it has been demonstrated that
the lack of availability of good quality data is not simply a function of data not
having been collected. For example, the collection of significant amounts of
rainfall and streamflow data has been identified during the course of this PhD,
but the physical existence of the data has not been located. There is therefore
an urgent need for procedures to be put in place to maximise the value of both
historical data and that being currently collected. Six elements to improving the
quality of data available for hydrological modelling have been identified during
this research:
1) Instigating collection of new data.
2) Provision of good quality, robust data collection infrastructure
3) Development of data archiving / back-up systems
4) Making historical data available to the wider hydrological community
5) Ensuring that all data (new as well as existing) is subject to QC/QA
procedures
6) Staff training to improve knowledge
Instigating collection of new data
Ayibotele (1974) noted that adequate and reliable data were generally scarce
for streamflow and OTUI (1996) reported no subsequent improvement in data
availability of the streamflow data. This study has also found no improvement in
the collection and management of streamflow data up until the year 2002.
However, new impetus has been infused by the newly formed DRBMB to collect
all relevant hydrological data in the basin, such that attempts have been made
Emmanuel Obeng Bekoe Phd Thesis Chapter 6 Discussion