Use of hydrological models to calculate the ecological flow of the Jequetepeque river, upstream of the Gallito Ciego dam, Peru

Abstract

The research allowed to use of hydrological models for the calculation of the ecological flow of the “Jequetepeque” river, upstream of the “Gallito Ciego” dam, Peru. Information on average monthly flows was used, which was divided into two periods (1943-1987) and (1988-2019). To calculate ecological flow, seven hydrological methods were used. For the period 1943-1987, the ecological flow was calculated with the percentage establishment method (0.47 m3s-1), followed by the Tennant method (0.57 m3s-1).The period of 1988-2019, the ecological flow was calculated with the percentage establishment method (0.36 m3s-1), followed of the Tennant method (0.59 m3s-1).The analysis of variance of one factor, significant differences were compared and verified between the ecological flow calculated of the indicated methods and the minimum low-water flow taken as a baseline for comparison. With the Tukey test, it was verified that the ecological flow estimated of the hydrological method of establishing percentages for the period (1943-1987) and (1988-2019), it did not present significant differences with respect to the minimum low-water flow. It concluded that the ecological flow of the “Jequeteque” river upstream of the “Gallito Ciego” dam is 0.36 m3s-1, it obtained through the percentage establishment method.