Caracterizacion hidrologica del Rio Arga (Navarra): El agua como recurso y como riesgo

Abstract

Water is an essential element for the development of both natural and human ecosystems. The increasing anthropic occupation of the alluvial valleys is causing increasing conflicts between the use of natural resources and the prevention of risks. These problems can be found in the case of the river Arga, a tributary of the river Ebro (Spain). In this case we are dealing with basin with a rain and snow melt regime. Since the 60's, the population and the economic activities in this area have experienced a very important expansion due to the industrial development in the Pamplona area and the agricultural improvements in the Arga flood-plain. In the last thirty years this increase has boosted hydrological demands and the flood risks. This work analyses the physical aspects which determine the hydrological features of the Arga basin, as well as the anthropic pressure on the flood-plain. The hydrological demand and the occupation of the flood areas have been evaluated in an attempt to define both aspects of the water: resource and risk.