Human activity in the micro basin of Granjeiro river, in the township of Crato/ Cariri, Ceará causes excessive runoff, producing sediment deposition in watercourses and causing floods along the river. In this investigation we try to understand the environmental impacts on the hydrology of the area through: (i) a morphometric characterization of the Granjeiro river micro basin and two adjacent ones, (ii) a comparison of the morphometric parameters for the three micro basins, (iii) an environmental evaluation of the Granjeiro micro basin and (iv) a correlation of environmental impacts and morphometric parameters. Morphometric characterization is made through parameters that describe the geometry of the basin, its drainage system and its relief. Environmental evaluation is based on the spot diagnoses. According to morphometry, the Granjeiro micro basin should be less floods prone than the outher two. However, antropic environmental problems invert this order transferring a higher incidence of floods to the first. In order to minimize environmental impacts, actions through structural and non-structural measures, in accordance with social-environmental local reality, are proposed.
Morphometric analysis; Granjeiro river; environmental impacts
