AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Canha River micro watershed (Ribeira de Iguape Valley, São Paulo State, Brazil) and to calibrate the QUAL2K model with field data; METHODS: Five variables of water quality were analyzed (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity and turbidity), as well as flow and velocity, in eight sampling stations from September, 2006 to July, 2007. It was performed a correlation test between observed data and simulated data; RESULTS: The dissolved oxygen concentration was high (over than 5.0 mg.L-1) during sampling period. The headwater presented the lowest concentrations of this variable. The electric conductivity did not exceed 80 µS.cm-1 and the pH did not range (0.5-1). The hydraulic variables were in agreement with River Continuum Concept. Although correlation test was not successful for some variables, the simulated data followed observed data; CONCLUSIONS: The rainfall linked to land use was important for obtained results. The watershed characteristics, as high slope, for example, were essential mainly to dissolved oxygen concentrations. Even though QUAL2K has some limitations its use is recommended for water resources management and future purposes.
modeling; QUAL2K; water quality; land use; brazilian watershed
