Abstract

NAVAR, José  and  RODRIGUEZ TELLEZ, Efraín. Characterization of agricultural areas and irrigation volumes in the San Juan river basin, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2002, n.47, pp.77-91. ISSN 2448-7279.

The sustainable management of hydrological resources in the San Juan river basin is top-priority for the regional development of Northeastern Mexico. This research report quantified irrigated agricultural areas, and water volumes required for irrigation were predicted under three rainfall scenarios, as an approach to build an inventory of water requirements by the farming sector. The total agricultural area amounted 172 999 hectares, the commonest crops being corn, sorghum and citric fruits. Water volumes required for irrigation approximated 1 319, 1 688 and 188 mm3 year-1 under probability of rainfall occurrence scenarios of 50, 20 and 80% the San Juan river basin. Irrigation agriculture contributes to reduce expenses, leads to a higher water extraction from rivers to satisfy farming consumption when drought periods occur. The need to implement sustainable hydrological resource management practices is stressed, as an alternative to ameliorate potential changes in agricultural areas.

Keywords : Consumption; rainfall; likelihood; gamma distribution; Northeastern Mexico.

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