Regionalization of maximum, minimum and mean streamflows for the Juruena River basin, Brazil

Regionalização de vazões máximas, mínima e média para a bacia hidrográfica do Rio Juruena, Brasil

This study aimed to regionalize maximum (Q_max), minimum (Q₉₅), and long-term mean (Q_ltm) streamflows in the Juruena River Basin to further water-resource planning and management, especially regarding water-use grant rights, streamflow regulation, and hydraulic designs. To do that, a traditional method was used, which relates the interest streamflows with sub-basin physiographic parameters by linear and nonlinear regressions. In summary, the traditional method was efficient for regionalization of Q₉₅, Q_ltm, and Q_max streamflows for the Juruena River Basin. Moreover, the explanatory variables able to provide the best results for regionalization of Q₉₅ and Q_ltm stream flows are drainage area, total watercourse length, and sub-basin mean altitude. For Q_max regionalization, the best results were provided by explanatory variables like drainage area, perimeter, and total watercourse length.

Keywords:
Amazon basin; extreme events; water availability; water resources planning and management