Bathymetry Research Articles

Morphometric characteristics of lake bottoms of Lakes CHarskoe and Nuksenskoe (Volga upland, Russia) as the basis of their classification

The article presents the results of researching the morphometric and hydrological characteristics of Lakes CHarskoe and Nuksenskoe and suggests their genesis. Lakes have scientific (zoological, botanical, geological, geomorphological), water conservation significance, perform the environmental function of typical biocenoses of karst lakes. During the research, a bathymetric survey was carried out from the board of a boat, using an echo sounder, combined with a navigator. The results of field research were processed using the geoinformation program QGIS, digital models of the relief of lake basins were constructed, the main morphometric and hydrological characteristics were calculated. Based on the analysis of the morphometric characteristics of lakes and data on the landscape features of their surroundings, primarily on the geological structure (geostructural, lithological, etc.), conclusions are drawn about the karst origin of lake basins and the classification of lakes according to a set of criteria is carried out.

Spatial trends in the distribution of natural radioisotopes in the bottom sediments of Santos Basin (Brazil)

Activities related to the marine exploration of oil and gas reservoirs tend to cause a concentration of natural radionuclides in related materials. As such, knowledge regarding the distribution of radionuclides in sedimentary basins with current oil operations is essential for modeling radiological hazards and possible risks of site contamination. This study investigated the distribution of 226Ra and 228Ra, radioisotopes from the 232U and 232Th decay chains in bottom sediment of the Santos basin. Sediment samples were collected from sites in a sampling grid based on depth contours and were analyzed through high-resolution gamma spectrometry. A distribution model of the spatial variation of these isotopes, the frst of its kind for the Basin, supported the interpretation of similar tendencies in their distribution. From studying the spatial trends of the mean levels of the isotopes with descriptive statistics and variance analysis, latitudinal and bathymetric diferences in the content of radionuclides emerged. These diferences are probably derived from the distinct sources of these elements, as 226Ra originates in the deep ocean from the decay of parent 230Th and from the patterns of sedimentation driven by open ocean circulation, while 228Ra is supplied by terrigenous materials transported by the northward-fowing Brazilian Coastal Current.

Morphometric, hydrological characteristics and genesis of Lakes of the Povolzhskij section of the projected National Park Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzh'e

The article presents the results of researching of the morphometric and hydrological characteristics of a number of lakes in the territory of the Povolzhskij section of the projected National Park Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzh'e (Nizhny Novgorod region). The researched territory is located in the central part of the Nizhny Novgorod region in the left-bank part of the Volga River valley. Lakes are the landscape-forming framework of this territory. To date, reliable data, reflecting the features of the relief of the bottom of the lakes and their hydrological characteristics have been absent. During the research, a bathymetric survey of the lakes of the researched territory was carried out from the board of a boat, using an echo sounder, combined with a navigator. The results of field research were processed, using the geoinformation program QGIS, digital models of the relief of the basins of the researched lakes were created and their main morphometric and hydrological characteristics were calculated. Based on the analysis of morphometric characteristics of lakes and data on landscape features of their surroundings, were made conclusions about the fluvial origin of lake basins. The results of the research have both scientific significance, allowing detailed knowledge about the morphology and genesis of the lakes of the Middle Volga valley, and practical – being the centers of attraction of recreants in the projected national park, the lakes require a detailed research of morphological and hydrological parameters in order to effectively organize recreation.

Морфометрический анализ донного рельефа крупного долинного водохранилища в процессе его эволюции

Until now, the study of the morphology of the bottom of large reservoirs, subject to gradual siltation, received little attention. Morphometric descriptions of reservoirs are limited by the type, shape, altitude position, size of the bed, and the volume of water in them. The article presents the results of the analysis of the bottom relief of the Krasnodar Reservoir and the transformations of this relief for 2005–2021. The analysis was performed based on the materials of bathymetric surveys for the regulated volume of the reservoir on an area of 224 km2 with the construction of the corresponding digital relief models. The relief of the bottom of the reservoir is represented by flat areas of a flooded accumulative plain with prevailing slopes of about 0.2–0.4°, dissected by river channels of lower order tributaries. The transformation of the relief is caused by gradual siltation. The total volume of deposits for the specified area in 2005–2021 amounted to 127 million m3 with an average silt layer of 0.4 m. To describe the morphological properties of the bottom topography, we used geomorphometric techniques with the calculation of the BPI (Bathymetric Position Index) and the classification of mesoscale landforms based on it. For the bed, relief forms have been established related to three types of surfaces: flat (lower bank shelf), concave (depressions, deep depressions) and convex (reef crests, back reefs, mid-slope reefs). The constructed maps reflect the differentiated morphology of the bed surface, the evolution of landforms under conditions of continuous transformation of the basin, and also make it possible to judge the prevailing processes of morphogenesis. The coastal zone and the shallow part of the bed are the most complex in morphological terms. Here, along with reefs of different genesis, deep depressions and depressions in the form of underwater channels in advanced deltas can form on the accumulative shoal.

Large-scale morphological changes and sediment budget of the Western Scheldt estuary 1955–2020: the impact of large-scale sediment management

Abstract In the Western Scheldt estuary, like in many estuaries, safe navigation, flood protection, and ecological targets require a balanced and sustainable sediment management. A thorough understanding of the morphodynamic functioning of the estuary and its response to changes in hydrodynamics (natural sediment transport) and large-scale interventions is imperative. This paper presents a detailed overview of over 65 years of morphological changes and a comprehensive sediment budget of the Western Scheldt estuary that is based on analysis of a unique series of frequent bathymetric surveys and historical data on human–sediment interactions of dredging, dredge disposal and sand mining. Solving the sediment budget reveals an annual sediment import of 2.2 million m3. The highest sediment imports occurred between 1980–1994 and 2005–2020 (2.9 and 3.7 million m3/year). A 1.3 million m3/year net export prevailed between 1994 and 2005. Natural variations in the hydrodynamics (e.g., tidal asymmetry and amplification) and sediment transports cannot explain the derived temporal variations in sediment import rates. Anthropogenic activities play a dominant role. Capital dredging of the main navigation channel has led to channel deepening and significantly increased dredge and disposal volumes. Disposal on tidal flats and in the secondary channel leads to a long-term storage of sand and, consequently, a local increase in bed level and a sand deficit in the remainder of the system that results in increased sediment imports. Large-scale disposal in the western part of the estuary can (temporarily) reverse the sediment exchange between the estuary and its mouth area, as observed between 1994 and 2005. Apparently, large-scale anthropogenic reallocation of sediment by dredging and/or disposal as part of navigation channel improvement, sand mining or nourishment essentially influences the morphological development of the Western Scheldt estuary. This reveals responsibilities as well as opportunities of sediment management for the Western Scheldt and similar estuaries worldwide.

Morphometric characteristics of the Krasnyj Klyuch lake Complex (Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia)

The article presents the results of researching the morphometric features of the Krasnyj Klyuch lake complex, located on the Ufa Plateau in the Republic of Bashkortostan on the left bank of the Ufa River. According to available data, the largest karst spring in Russia and the second in Europe in discharge of spring wells at the bottom of the lake complex, which makes the task of researching the morphometric characteristics of the lake complex itself an important step towards researching the unique spring. To date, detailed data, reflecting the features of the relief of the lake bottom have not been available. During the research, a bathymetric survey of the lake complex was carried out from the board of a boat, using an echo sounder, combined with a navigator. The results of field research were processed using the geoinformation program QGIS, a digital model of the relief of the lake basin was created and its main morphometric characteristics were calculated. The results of the researchhave both scientific significance, allowing to detail knowledge about the morphometric characteristics of the unique lake complex Krasnyj Klyuch, and applied – being the center of gravity of recreants, the lake complex Krasnyj Klyuch requires a detailed research of morphometric parameters in order to effectively organize recreation.

Dredging Volume Analysis Using Different Software

Dredging is one of the seaport’s regular and necessary maintenance activities to keep the sea depth under control. The purpose of dredging is to provide safe navigation where the depth of the water column must be more profound than the ship’s draft. Periodic bathymetric surveys using an echosounder can observe changes in the topography of the seabed. Topographic changes over time can be used to calculate the volume of sedimentation. Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) is one of the methods to calculate cut and fill volume in some software. This study aims to compare the difference in the sediment volume calculation results from interpolation data with EIVA and CAD. This study uses data from Multibeam Echosounder, carried out before dredging (mc0) and after dredging (mc100). This study shows the difference in volume calculation because of dredging is 693,228.00 m3 using CAD and 701,700.633 m3 using EIVA. Statistic test for volume calculation from this software using a p-value of Friedman test shows no significant difference between these two software calculations.

Interpolation Technique for the Underwater DEM Generated by an Unmanned Surface Vessel

High-resolution underwater digital elevation models (DEMs) are important for water and soil conservation, hydrological analysis, and river channel dredging. In this work, the underwater topography of the Panjing River in Shanghai, China, was measured by an unmanned surface vessel. Five different interpolation methods were used to generate the underwater DEM and their precision and applicability for different underwater landforms were analyzed through cross-validation. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the interpolation error and the terrain surface roughness. The five interpolation methods were all appropriate for the survey area, but their accuracy varied with different surface roughness. Based on the analysis results, an integrated approach was proposed to automatically select the appropriate interpolation method according to the different surface roughness in the surveying area. This approach improved the overall interpolation precision. The suggested technique provides a reference for the selection of interpolation methods for underwater DEM data.

Measurement and Computational Study of Underwater Topography

This paper reports previously obtained results concerning topographic change in a water area. Latitude-longitude components of positional data obtained from a GPS receiver were transformed to planar orthogonal coordinates, and vertical components of positional data were combined with depth data obtained from an echo sounder. A piecewise linear function defined on a triangular mesh represented a surface that fitted measurement results. This study applied those techniques to data obtained in measurement of November, 2021 and data obtained in measurement of September, 2022.

An Automatic Algorithm to Extract Nearshore Bathymetric Photons Using Pre-Pruning Quadtree Isolation for ICESat-2 Data

The Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) equips with a novel photon-counting LiDAR system, which can generate underwater reflections in nearshore environments. However, due to the water reflection, scattering, and absorption, the distribution of bathymetric photons in the nearshore data varies with depth. The existing bathymetric photon extraction algorithms need more adaptability to seafloor topography. The changing density of bathymetric photons and the fluctuation of underwater topography make the noise removal of nearshore data full of challenges. This study proposed a bathymetric photon extraction algorithm using pre-pruning quadtree isolation (PQI). Firstly, the pre-pruning step judges whether to stop the growth of quadtree in advance during quadtree isolation (QI) to avoid excessive division of noise photons. Secondly, the maximum inter-class variance algorithm (also called the Otsu method) obtains the best threshold of isolation depth and extracts bathymetric photons. The algorithm was tested on the Florida coast. The results show that the PQI algorithm can wholly and accurately extract bathymetric photons with different acquisition times from the data. The F1-score of the extracted results is 93.96%. This study provides an intelligent solution to processing bathymetric data in nearshore environments worldwide.

DETERMINATION OF THE TOURIST POSITION OF LAKES OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN BY SPACE SURVEY

The article reviews the methodology for assessing water bodies in the territories of Western and Central Kazakhstan. The concept of sustainable development of the region for recreational activities of this study is relevant. Literary sources of research of lakes of Western, Northern, and Central Kazakhstan are analyzed. The study area has excellent opportunities for the development of certain types of tourism. As a result of topographic and bathymetric surveys of water resources of geosystems, the most reliable morphometric data were obtained. Analyzing of the results of remote sensing data processing and index mapping made it possible to assess the area of lakes and determine their main metric characteristics. The article also evaluates the accuracy of the results obtained using various remote sensing materials. The geographical position of the lakes causes differences in the factors of formation of their hydrological regime. The altitude position of the studied lakes is also manifested in the peculiarity of the course of long-term changes in their characteristics. These received and processed research materials will be used for tourist and recreational activities. Recommendations on the tourist and recreational use of lake systems of Kazakhstan are given.

A Method to Construct Depth Datum Geodesic Height Model for GNSS Bathymetric Survey

Water depth measurement requires the establishment of one or more tidal stations in the survey area for synchronous water level observation, and finally the water depth is estimated to the depth datum. The non-tidal observation measuring has high efficiency and avoids the water level correction error caused by tidal observation in traditional sounding. Therefore, non-tidal observation measuring has become an effective water depth measurement method in offshore and inland water. However, datum conversion in non-tide operation is mostly based on the polynomial fitting method. The accuracy of this method is influenced by the distribution of datum control points, topographic relief and operation ranges. In this paper, we present a method to construct a depth datum geodesic height model, which can directly obtain a bathymetric database of depth data in a GNSS bathymetric survey. The model incorporates the continuous depth datum and the mean sea level of geodetic height in the same area. Through the numerical simulation of tidal wave motion in regional water, the tidal model is obtained. Based on the grid model, the tidal level is extracted from the tidal model for harmonic analysis, and a continuous depth datum model is established. Mean sea level geodetic height is from the CNES-CLS2015 Average Sea Surface Model. In this paper, the model is confirmed in the South Yellow Sea area. The results show that the accuracy of the depth datum model, and the depth datum geodetic height model meets the accuracy requirements of the datum.

Výsledky druhej fázy geologického prieskumu hlbokomorských polymetalických konkrécií v prieskumnom území Spoločnej organizácie Interoceanmetal

The exploration rights of the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization for exploration of polymetallic nodules (PMN) are granted from 29 March 2001 to an area located within the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the eastern central Pacifi c Ocean. Exploration area covers 75,000 km2 and consists of two sectors (B1 and B2). The B2 sector comprises four exploration blocks (H11, H22, H33 and H44). The most prospective area, selected for detailed research, is marked as H22_NE exploitable block and delineated within the H22 exploration block. The article presents results of geological survey, based mostly on the data collected during the second phase of exploration in the licence area (2016–2021, extension of the contract). Results are based on IOM’s expeditions and relevant analytical work. During the IOM-2018 expedition high resolution bathymetric survey of H11, H22, H33 and H44 exploration blocks was carried out. The IOM-2019 expedition provided a new set of the data obtained using the distance methods (side-scan sonar, profi ler) and contact methods (box-corer and gravity corer) in H22_NE exploitable block, H33 exploration block and preliminary delineated Preservation Reference Zone. The study was focused on analytical work based on sediment and nodule analyses of samples in H22 exploration block and H22_NE exploitation block. New estimation of mineral resources in B2 sector was caried out using the geostatistical method of ordinary block kriging with Yamamoto correction. The polymetallic nodule resources have been classifi ed within the Inferred, Indicated and Measured Resources categories of the CRIRSCO classification system.

Exploration of new hydrocarbon leads in the eastern flank of Abu Gharadig Basin, North Western Desert, Egypt

The present study aims to understand better the structural elements controlling the hydrocarbon potentiality and productivity for the upper Cretaceous reservoirs in the Eastern flank of the Abu Gharadig Basin in the Western Desert of Egypt. The major sandstone reservoirs in this area are found within Abu Roash “G” Member and Upper Bahariya Formation, characterized by lateral facies changes with major structure uncertainty and unleashed hydrocarbon potential. Therefore, we aimed to identify the lateral distribution of the studied reservoirs regionally in Abrar, Ferdaus, Ganna, Rawda, Sidra, and Rayan fields at the North Bahariya Concession and Aqsa and Yamma-SE fields at the East Bahariya Concession through integrated geological and geophysical studies for further exploration activities in this area. As a result, we produced regional depth contour maps covering most of the producing fields with the lateral distribution of hydrocarbon occurrences through the area. Moreover, the petrophysical parameter maps for the Middle and Lower Abu Roash “G” reservoirs, such as net pay thickness, shale volume, effective porosity, and hydrocarbon saturation are prepared to understand the hydrocarbon potentiality. This, in turn, allowed us to determine nine promising structural traps for future exploration with high certainty.

SPLINE MODEL OF GRIDDED DATA OPERATION AS A PRINCIPLE OF ELECTRONIC MAPPING SEABED TOPOGRAPHY

The influence of technologies of automated processing of hydrographic survey results on the potential of the human factor in the transformation of polygraphic cartographic products into digital ones is analyzed. When configuring the digital bathymetric model, the concept of the navigation surface is used as a perspective principle of automated mapping. The approach to the problem of generating bathymetric contours from measurement results in the navigation surface paradigm is construed on continuous spline interpolation of geospatial data for reasonable cartographic generalization when creating electronic cartographic products. From the theoretical positions of the spline approach, the subjectivity of the method of artificial displacement of generalized isobaths to deep-water areas is excluded when creating a safe digital model of the bottom relief, interpreted in a mathematical sense as a navigational isosurface. The principle of electronic mapping based on the use of a spline in tension as an effective approach for the process of generalizing isobaths in order to obtain a wide range of morphometric characteristics of underwater topography has been developed. The generalized line of the active depth contour is estimated in the form of algorithmic reproduction on electronic charts of the safe convexity of the isobate towards the deep-sea area due to the practical implementation of the B-spline “snake model” by analogy with the serpentine configuration of the bathymetric isoline in the form of a piecewise polynomial function. When using the spline approach, an innovative principle of electronic mapping of the underwater landscape based on operating with a set of gridded data is implemented. The latter are interpreted as the results of depth measurements with the formalization of a two-dimensional frame of fixed values of bathymetric measurements for their representation as a navigational isosurface in three-dimensional Euclidean space. The actual synthesis of the seabed topography is implemented on the basis of a proven hybrid spline model for a specific indicative test case based on the processing of experimental gridded data. Hypothetically, the possibility of intellectual assistance to the watch officer in the strategy of instant orientation in conditions of a minimum depth reserve under the keel is organized when using computer three-dimensional visualization of the topography of the underwater relief in an unaffiliated graphic environment with foreign software.

KALEYA RIVER CATCHMENT REGIONAL ESTIMATION OF RESERVOIR CAPACITIES USING SONAR AND GIS APPROACHES

Small reservoirs in arid and semi-arid areas help rural communities to cope with prolonged dry spells. More recently, the construction and operation of small reservoirs has resulted in upstream versus downstream water use conflicts in some river basins. In this regard, bathymetric information could be used as a tool to monitor the available surface water, and minimize or prevent water conflicts. The challenge is that it is difficult to survey a large number of reservoirs using the traditional sounding methods. Despite the availability of new methods of conducting bathymetric surveys, their utilization in Africa is still low, particularly for depth measurements of small reservoirs. This paper presents modern bathymetric survey and analysis techniques applied for quantifying the capacities of small reservoirs, using the case of the Kaleya River Basin in southern Zambia. The objectives of the survey were to: i) create a database of reservoir storage capacities; and ii) introduce an efficient modern approach of monitoring small reservoir storage capacities. A remote controlled Coden hydrographic survey boat equipped with a SONAR device mounted with Trimble OmniSTAR VBS providing DGPS was used to capture and record hydrographic (xyz) data with greater accuracy. Data analysis was done using Surfer 13 Golden software to produce ten contoured bathymetric maps of surveyed reservoirs. From this information, the reservoir capacities were computed, thus providing information on water stored in reservoirs in the basin. It is concluded that the quantification of storage capacity of small reservoirs using SONAR and GIS provides a quicker and cost effective way of obtaining accurate bathymetric data. Such data is important in resolving water use conflicts in river basins and for decision-making in the context of multiple water uses, climate change and or variability.

Did the Younger Dryas to Holocene climate transition favour high seismicity rates in the north‐western Alps?

ABSTRACTIn the French north‐western Alps, several lakes of glacial origin, such as Aiguebelette and La Thuile, present some mass‐transport deposits within their sedimentary sequences. These event layers can result from lake sediment destabilization eventually triggered by earthquakes. On Lake Aiguebelette, based on sedimentological, geochemical and magnetic analyses, and high‐resolution seismic and bathymetric surveys a ca 1 m thick event layer was identified in the deepest lake basin and a synchronous ca 2 cm thick deposit in the shallow basin. Age‐depth models based on radiocarbon ages reveal that both mass‐transport deposits in Lake Aiguebelette occurred around the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene climatic transition (i.e. 11 700 cal bp) time range. In Lake La Thuile, located 30 km away, unique mass‐transport deposits (translational slide type) were recorded at the same time range in sedimentary records. Additionally, high‐resolution seismic profiles previously acquired in Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget support the hypothesis of significant mass‐transport deposits occurring at the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene time range. These outcomes on four north‐western peri‐Alpine and Alpine lakes highlight the regional occurrence of mass‐transport deposits in the Younger Dryas – Early Holocene time range. Seismic and rockfall events are discussed as potential sources of these significant and similarly aged mass‐transport deposits. Based on this study and a literature review, the authors suggest that mechanisms induced by rapid climate change and glacial retreat, such as crustal rebound and erosional unloading, could favour the triggering of earthquakes and rockfall events. In the case of mass‐transport deposits archived in north‐western Alpine lakes during this time period, this study favours the hypothesis of increased seismicity as the primary source driving process involved.

Estimation of reservoir sedimentation using bathymetry survey at Shumburit earth dam, East Gojjam zone Amhara region, Ethiopia

Sediment accumulation is a major factor in reducing the useful life of irrigation reservoirs. As a result, information on any changes in storage capacity is required to reduce the reservoir's risk. Therefore, the goal of this research was to identify the amount of sediment accumulated in the reservoir using a bathymetric survey. The bathymetric survey method involves subtracting the two-period capacities (before dam construction and after dam construction). The bathymetric survey of the reservoir was carried out by analyzing volume and surface area using ArcGIS 10.8, and developing the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) surface from topo-sheet data. The bathymetric survey showed that 297,000 m3 (362,340 tons) of sediment had accumulated in the reservoir over six years of operation. This means the reservoir's total capacity has been reduced by 7.52% over the last six years. The average rate of sedimentation was assessed to be 49,500 m3/y (60,390 tons/year) and the annual capacity reduction of the reservoir was 1.25 percent. The proportion of dead storage capacity to sediment deposition level was used to calculate the reservoir's useful life. Hence; the sedimentation rates of the dead storage and live storage regions were 31,666.67 m3/year and 48,333.33 m3/year, respectively. Finally, this indicates that the reservoir will not be functional for more than 15 years if the sediment deposition rate remains the same as the previous six years throughout the operation periods.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene Evolution of Malé Island (North Malé Atoll Rim, Republic of Maldives)

Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives, is established on an island of about 6.8 square kilometres, with a maximum relief of 2.7 m and a population of 236,000 inhabitants. It is amongst the most densely populated areas on Earth and located virtually at sea-level. This study focuses on the late Pleistocene-Holocene evolution of Malé island that recently formed as part of the discontinuous North Malé Atoll rim. Understanding the formation of Malé Island is relevant in predicting its future in the context of accelerating rates of sea-level rise in the next centuries due to anthropogenic global warming. Analyses of two boreholes up to 35 m-long, published information from additional boreholes drilled on Malé Island and a high-resolution multi-beam bathymetric survey acquired along its upper slopes and deep surroundings were available for this study. Two distinct sedimentary units were recovered from the boreholes. Facies analyses of the lower unit reveal an overall deepening coralgal reef that accumulated probably during the previous interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage = MIS 5e) and which was subsequently altered by meteoric diagenesis during a 100 kyr-long time of exposure. The upper unit consists of Holocene unconsolidated coralgal accumulation, unconformably overlying the lower karstified coralgal MIS 5e unit. The upper unit, protected behind a karstified late Pleistocene reef, was initiated at ~8200 yr BP and vertically grew 25 m-high until 6510 yr BP in the northern part of the Malé Island area, which at the time was a karstified limestone island with a central geomorphological depression. The narrow, 30 to 35 m-deep, newly formed central faro lagoon started to fill ~ 5500 yr BP, when a reef initiated on top of the southern highest Pleistocene karstified reef and sea-level rise stalled. The infilling of the faro lagoon was completed ~ 4500 yr BP. An island formed that was flanked on its south side by a shallow lagoon and surrounded by a reef flat. Through several phases of land reclamation since the 1950s, the shallow lagoon was infilled and the reef flat buried with sand and rubble to form Malé Island as it is known today.

Sediment yield in a basin in Brazilian Semiarid Regions: A discussion on positive allometry

Sedimentological analyses are essential to understand the system that dictates the sediment yield processes of a basin. Basins have their own characteristics according to climatic, geological, geomorphological, pedological, and phytogeographic influences, on the sediment yield at different scales. This study evaluated the hydrosedimentological aspects of the Rio Seridó hydrographic basin to understand the sediment yield behaviour in the drainage area at different scales. Primary and secondary data, such as imagery (remote sensing), geostatistical methods, hydrosedimentological modelling, and calculations, were used to produce thematic maps, to implement theoretical–methodological revisions of the objects, and determine the specific sediment yield. The sediment delivery ratio was utilized to model the sediment yield at the basin scale, which was calculated using Maner’s Equation and the Universal Soil Loss Equation from 1992 to 2015. The measured data comprised sediment collection, a bathymetric survey of reservoirs, and erosion pins in the drainage basin on a timescaleof up to 82 years. The modelled sediment yield of the basin (2.5 t ha−1 y−1) was comparable to the measurements performed in the semiarid regions for basins of the same scale. The average sediment yield in the reservoirs (2.15 t ha−1 y−1) was very close to the modelled value. Positive allometry was identified for areas of up to 400 km2 in the upper, middle, and lower reaches. Positive allometry was observed with an increase in sediment yield in the drainage area. Globally, this pattern is rare in regions that have not experienced glaciation and this identification is tan important contribution of this research.