Abstract

AMADOR GARCIA, Alfredo; GRANADOS LOPEZ, Erna  and  MENDOZA, Manuel E.. Three approaches to the assessment of spatio-temporal distribution of the water balance: the case of the Cuitzeo basin, Michoacán, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2011, n.76, pp.34-55. ISSN 2448-7279.

Spatial distribution of the energy and flows of the hydrologic cycle in the form of evapotranspiration, runoff and infiltration within a region is a function of the climate (precipitation, temperature and evaporation) and landscape (relief, soil, land cover) of the area, and constitutes the hydrological cycle. The general model evaluating each of these sections and flows is the water balance. Methods for calculating the water balance in a region are based on either mass transference or energy transference. The aim of the present work was to calculate the spatially distributed regional water balance in a poorly gauged basin by each of three methods, and to evaluate these methods by comparing the results. Spatial modelling of the hydrometeorological variables used the ArcView 3.2 geographic information system; hydrological modelling made using HEC system version 3.1.0. The first approach was based on analysis of the information recorded at the available meteorological stations, point estimation of the monthly water balance according to the Thornthwaite and Mather method, and the use of Thiessen polygons. The second approach was based on the calculation and distribution of the parameters for the Thornthwaite and Mather method. The third approach used the FAO-Penman equation. The models were applied to the Lake Cuitzeo basin. The result obtained by the third method indicated a mean annual volume of runoff of 229.05 hm³. This volume is only 8.5 hm³ less than that estimated as necessary for maintaining a depth of 1 m throughout the Lake Cuitzeo water body. This difference represents a possible fluctuation of 2 cm in the mean level of the surface of the lake. The HEC model represents an alternative for modelling the basin since it requires relatively few inputs, of which the main ones (temperature, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, evapotranspiration) are obtainable or deducible by means of one or other of the approaches presented here.

Keywords : Spatial modelling; water balance; poorly gauged basins; watershed management.

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