When comparing the past and the current data referring to flow rate in São Bartolomeu creek, Viçosa - MG, it was found that some deregulation has occured in the last decades. The objective of this work was to study the influence of physical characteristics of two types of soils (Yellow-Red Latosol - LVA and Red Argisol - PV) under pasture as well as the implantation of some practices for both management and soil and water conservation in the hydrological behavior in São Bartolomeu creek microbasin. The monitoring of precipitation, flow rate of the water and the water level in the water tables were assessed before and after implantation of the management and conservation techniques. The soil clay contents were higher in LVA compared with PV, however indicating no correlation with the results for the soil density and porosity, but affecting both water retention into soil and the hydraulic conductivity, therefore the water retention in LVA was higher than PV. The water table variation was more sensitive in PV as a result from the association of the physical characteristics of this soil and the management techniques applied. As a result, the minimum flow rate referring to 2004 was 188 L.min-1, which in comparison with the minimum flow rate of 80 L.min-1 referring to 2002 indicates an increment of 108 L.min-1 (135%) which confirm a tendency of the of a positive action of the soil conservation techniques in provisioning the water depth associated to the importance of knowing the characteristics of the soil, the use which it has been submitted to and its relationship with the hydrological cycle.
Management of hydrographic basins; Revitalization of the springs and Soil and water conservation
