Comprehensive analysis of hydrological management and alteration with the implementation of ecological flows and the supply of water demands in a high Andean River in Peru

Coronel W.S.; Arquiola J.P.; Fernandez L.R. · Proceedings of the IAHR World Congress (2022) · DOI: 10.3850/iahr-39wc2521716x20221541

Resumen

The harmonization of ecological flows with other water uses is currently one of the major challenges of water planning. This study addresses this problem in the Lurín river basin (Peru). This river is characterized by torrential rainfall in the wet months and minimal flows during low water levels. A series of studies were carried out to propose an integrated and sustainable management of the system. First, the ecological flow was calculated using four hydrological methods, the most important being the method according to Peruvian legislation. The second task consisted of carrying out a water balance of the basin by means of a management simulation model, for the current situation and four proposals for improvement, calculating the degree of supply satisfaction of the demands. Finally, the simulation results were coupled with the calculation of hydrological alteration indexes that allow estimating the degree of hydrological alteration. The implementation of the ecological flow increases the deficit of agricultural demand by 14.3%, requiring the use of approximately 30 hm3/year of reclaimed water and the construction of a 40 hm3 reservoir. The hydrological alteration indexes (IAH) show a good state of the river with an overall value of 0.78 in the current situation, due to the fact that the river discharges most of its flow in the wet months (January, February and March). However, the indexes that evaluate droughts have low values, due to the fact that during low water levels, flows are minimal.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina