Drainage basin morphometry of the Encadenadas del Oeste lakes, Argentina.

GERALDI, A.M.; PICCOLO, M.C.; PERILLO, G.M.E.

Journal of Geography and Regional Planning

AcademicJournals

Año: 2016 vol. 9 p. 12 - 27

The Las Encadenadas basin can be defined as an endorheic fluviolacustrine system. The aim of thisstudy is to identify hydrographic sectors and subbasins within the Encadenada?s drainage basin andanalyze the former?s morphometric properties including hypsometry. The morphometric analysisallowed for quantification of variables and indices for example area, perimeter, total length of streams,etc. Hypsometric curves were also plotted for each subbasin and finally, principal components analysiswas used to sort basins based on results from individually calculated parameters and indices. Thisstudy?s aim was to define for the first time the various drainage subbasins that comprise theEncadenadas del Oeste?s basin. The characterization of these units shows that the basin ismorphologically diverse due to the dynamic fluvial activity that prevails within its limits. One of theabove mentioned morphological units are the alluvial cones which form at the mouths of themainstreams and delineate the bases of the different subbasins. The drainage network exhibits overalla low level of ramification and hierarchy which is likely due to the sedimentary nature and highpermeability of the sub-surface soil.