Analysis of Flow Behavior as Influenced by Reservoir with Flow Regularization

Abstract

Understanding the behavior of reservoirs with flow regularization formed by hydroelectric power plants is essential for assessing water availability. The operationalization of reservoirs can be influenced both by climatic characteristics and by the consequences resulting from human actions in the basin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existing relationships between the inflows and outflows of a reservoir, as well as with the conventional streamflow gauge stations downstream of the dam. Also evaluated were trends in the behavior of minimum, average and maximum flows, in the post-operation period, considering the characteristics of rainfall and irrigation in the region. The results indicated that reservoir operationalization is strongly related to the behavior of inflows. Moreover, a reduction was also verified in all the variables analyzed related to inflows and outflows, as well as in the stations downstream of the dam, except for the maximum flow in the station farthest from the reservoir, which showed a stationary behavior. The reductions in the flows may be related to the almost three-fold increase in the area irrigated by the center pivot in the basin; however, the same cannot be said in relation to the annual rainfall regime of the region, since it showed a stationary behavior for most of the stations evaluated. The work demonstrates the importance of trend analysis of flows over the years in order to identify possible factors responsible for their variability and assist in decision making regarding measures for the recovery and preservation of water resources.