Morphometric analysis of basins located in the piedmont of central Western Argentina

Abstract

Morphometric characteristics are quantitative indicators of basin elements, which influence the magnitude and variability of hydrological processes. The main objective of this work is to determine morphometric parameters related to the geometry, relief and drainage network of 34 sub-basins located in the WEST of Mendoza capital city (Argentina), between parallels 32° 55’ and 32° 58’ S and meridians 68° 53’ and 69° 05’ W. This information will allow understanding and characterize the hydrological processes in the eastern slope of the Precordillera, Piedmont and Mogotes low hills range. Based on previous cartography, a base map was made, where basins were delimited, riverbed and level curves were digitized and the dimensions of basins and hypsometric bands were sub-sequently determined. In this way, the basic information was obtained from the calculation of the shape indexes, hypsometric curve, height and mean slope, network parameters and Horton’s laws. A Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used for the delineation and calculation of the morphometric parameters of the basins, using free software GvSIG.