Rainfall and flow of the Riozinho do Rôla Basin on Western Amazon

The present study was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the hydrological behavior of the Riozinho do Rôla hydrographic basin, and was based on descriptive analysis tools. Fourteen pluviometers were set up in order to conduct a representative analysis of the rainfall in the basin. Residents of the area voluntarily participated in collection of the rainfall data in the years 2007 and 2008; the residents were trained to collect the data before the pluviometers were installed. ArcGis 9.2 software was used to outline and calculate the area of the Thiessen polygons, and both arithmetic and Thiessen precipitation means were calculated using Excel software. The average precipitation values were 1,428 mm and 1,450 mm, as calculated using the arithmetic mean and Thiessen method, respectively. Using data from the Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA), the rainfall and flow rate in the basin were calculated for the period from 1998 to 2005. The seasonality of precipitation is reflected in the temporary flow rate activity, which reached a peak of 1,276.9 m³/s during the flood period and 4.1 m³/s during periods of the dry season. This behavior is fundamentally related to natural and social aspects of the basin, such as the occurrence of a hydrographic network with characteristics of a headwater associated with a hydrological regime marked by high seasonality; the low permeability of the soils in the basin; and the intensification of deforestation in the region in order to develop livestock as a privileged form of land use.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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