Hydrological processes in the Zerede Creek watershed in Timóteo - MG state

Abstract

The increasing water demand and changes in the land use in the watershed of the Zerede Ceek stimulated hydrological analyses to improve the understanding of the dynamics of the local hydrological cycle, focusing on the relationship with forests and the consequences for the water quality. To this purpose, the hydrological monitoring was carried out by measurements of rainfall, flow rate and estimated evapotranspiration, using a digital wireless rain gauge, a modified atmometer, a Parshall flume set and ITS-2000. For the water quality analysis, samples were collected at five different points of the water course and analyzed for color, turbidity, pH, total suspended solids (TSS), electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand and heat-tolerant coliforms. The results showed that evapotranspiration contributed more to the amount of water leaving the basin than outflow, except from November to January (2006/2007). The final fluid balance of 247.7 mm was negative, showing that rainfall was lower than expected for the period and reinforcing the importance of using techniques that allow greater water retention in the basin. The parameters EC and TSS differed statistically between the means of the points analyzed by the F test at 5% probability, unlike the other parameters. The microbiological tests were negative, with coliform-free water. It was concluded that the analyzed water parameters meet the standards of Class 1 defined by Resolution No 357 of CONAMA (2005), indicating good water quality in the Zerede Creek basin.

Keywords:
Forest hydrology; Hydric resources; Water quality