The 2006 and 2009 landslide and flood events in the Tartagal River Basin (Argentina)

Abstract

The Tartagal River basin is placed in the Sub-Andean Hills in northwestern Argentina. In this area the town of Tartagal, in Salta Province, with 55,000 habitants, is located. At this site the contribution river basin is approximately 100 km2. Between 2006 and 2009 the region was affected by extreme events of different characteristics, which created a risk to human lives, productive infrastructures and communications. In 2006, large rainfalls above average values generated landslides, with the appearance of large-scale gullies. In 2007, remedial works were carried out. In 2009, an avalanche of water and sediment with logs came down the Tartagal River reaching the city's main avenue bridge. After the 2009 event, structural and non-structural measures of short, medium and long term were implemented. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.