Abstract

MARTINEZ-GUTIERREZ, Genaro; DIAZ-GUTIERREZ, José Juan  and  COSIO-GONZALEZ, Omar. Morphometric analysis of the San José del Cabo hydrologic basin, B.C.S., Mexico: an approximation in the identification of potential capture areas. Rev. mex. cienc. geol [online]. 2010, vol.27, n.3, pp.581-592. ISSN 2007-2902.

The San José del Cabo basin is located in the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in northwestern Mexico. The basin is one of the largest in the state and is considered the major water source for the state. Landsat ETM+ image analysis (contrast balance, principal component analysis and high pass filtering), aerial photographs, and digital elevation models were used to map the geomorphology, geology and structures in the basin. Structural features such as linear and curvilinear lineaments and andesitic dykes were obtained from digital elevation model analysis. Morphometric parameters and structural features analyses from seven sub-basins were obtained to determine rainfall capture areas for the San Jose del Cabo watershed. The data were integrated in a geographic information system in order to perform a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). A well-fractured system, developed in the mountain region, exhibits good conditions for primary recharge. The MCDA identified three sub-watersheds to be the principal areas for rainfall capture. The results show that Landsat image and digital elevation model analysis provide a viable source ofdata and information for mapping and delineating areas for recharge and discharge on a regional scale.

Keywords : lineament; recharge; basin morphometry; multicriteria decision analysis; Landsat; San José del Cabo; Mexico.

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