Return to HydroWeb HomepageISSN 1058-3912
Electronic journal of the International Association
for Environmental Hydrology
On the World Wide Web at http://www.hydroweb.com
JEH Volume 7 (1999), Paper 1, January 1999 Posted
January 25, 1999
ASSESSMENT OF HYDROLOGIC IMPACTS OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN A FLATLAND
AREA, SANTA FE, ARGENTINA
Erik D. Zimmermann
Hydroenvironmental Research Center, University of Rosario, Argentina
ABSTRACT
An analysis of the effects of a hypothetical intensive irrigation in
the Ludueña Basin, Santa Fe, Argentina, is presented. The vertical
flux of water and vapor is modeled for an extended period of time to assess
long-term effects. Synthetic precipitation and evapotranspiration series
were constructed with similar statistical properties to those observed
in the study region. Daily values of evapotranspiration (7300 values) and
hourly hyetographs were generated, including 1293 rain events over a twenty
year period. Different simulation scenarios were used: a) the current scenario
with extensive agriculture and no irrigation was taken as the reference
and b) hypothetical intensive irrigation scenarios. These were divided
into three variants: irrigation for maintenance of 60 percent, 75 percent
and 90 percent of field capacity. The maximum irrigation scenario causes
important changes. There is an increase of 7 percent for evapotranspiration,
an increase in direct runoff, and a significant increase in recharge to
the phreatic aquifer, which is shown to be the main impact of intensive
irrigation. From a statistical point of view, the maximum runoff does not
show big changes, but there is a very remarkable increase in the frequencies
of high moisture and percolation processes in the soil profile.
Reference: Zimmermann, E. D.; Assessment of Hydrologic Impacts
of Irrigation Projects in a Flatland Area, Santa Fe, Argentina, Journal
of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 7, Paper 1, January 1999.
Erik D. Zimmermann
CURIHAM - FCEIA
National University of Rosario
Riobamba 245 bis 2000
Rosario, Argentina
E-mail: erikz@fceia.unr.edu.ar