3D geometric reconstruction and water balance analysis to estimate water retention in a high-Andean q'ocha in Pucachupa, Puno

Diaz Garcia L.V.; Sanchez Mauricio H.S.; Cuba Gadea K.M.; Hsu L.; Juica K.; Rodríguez Zuñiga U.F. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.1193

Resumen

High-Andean q'ochas are traditional water storage systems, typically constructed from stone, clay, and earth, that help regulate water flow in mountain ecosystems. However, many studies model these systems using idealized geometries, which limits our ability to understand their dynamics and their actual storage capacity. This study integrates three-dimensional geometric reconstruction based on field measurements with a simplified water balance formulation, with the aim of estimating the storage capacity of a q'ocha located at 3,900 m a.s.l. in Pucachupa, Puno, Peru. The geometric reconstruction yielded a flooded surface area of 14.89 m2 and a stored volume under field-observed conditions of 5.19 m3. Additionally, soil and environmental parameters were measured to characterize the local conditions associated with water retention. A water balance model was used to represent precipitation, evaporation, and infiltration processes, incorporating monthly precipitation reference data obtained from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (SENAMHI-Peru) for a preliminary simulation, thereby determining the behavior of a qocha. The results show that the actual geometry of the reservoir defines the level-area-volume relationship that controls temporary water storage and allows for an initial assessment of the qocha's hydrological response to monthly climate variability, reducing the reliance on idealized geometries to estimate its water retention capacity.

Instituciones: Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología