The objective of this work was to study the morphometric characteristics of the Cachoeira das Pombas watershed, in Guanhães- MG, Brazil. The database was provided by the cooperative agreement SIF/CENIBRA/UFV and consists of the following raster datasets: hydrologically consistent digital elevation model (hcdem), stream network and flow direction. The software used was HIDRODATA 2.0. The drainage area was 6.981 km² and perimeter 14.864 km. In general, the studied area has elongated shape, low drainage density, strongly wavy relief and average declivity of 33.9 %. These parameters have great influence on the superficial drainage, and consequently on the erosion process, resulting in loss of soil, water, organic matter, nutrients and microfauna, which can eventually increase silting and eutrophication of water bodies. The watershed sub-basins were characterized for a more detailed study. The results shows that all the sub-basins have elongated shape, with low drainage density, strongly wavy relief and the average declivity raging from 29.6 to 40.4 %. It was also found that the different morphometric characterists among the sub-basins increase the need for specific management.
morphometric characteristics; watershed; forest hydrology; watershed management
