Hydrological Patterns Research Articles

Spatial and temporal patterns of flow intermittency in a Mediterranean basin using the SWAT+ model

ABSTRACT Non-perennial rivers and streams are ubiquitous. Nonetheless, our understanding of their hydrological patterns is minimal. Hydrological models are powerful tools to study and characterize hydrological patterns, but few can simulate extremes such as non-flow events. We aimed to capture and accurately simulate the flow intermittency spatial and temporal patterns in a Mediterranean river basin with the restructured Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+). We calibrated the model using a multi-objective optimization algorithm and using data from two gauging stations in the mainstream for the period 2000–2020. Furthermore, we validated the flow intermittency simulations against stage data series at 14 stations. The results indicated that the model accurately simulates flow intermittency and low flows in the study period. We observed a significant variation in flow intermittency in both space and time with a remarkable inter-annual variability. We also observed an increase in flow intermittency over the study period.

Ecohydrological metrics derived from multispectral images to characterize surface water in an intermittent river

Accurately describing the hydrology of intermittent rivers is a critical step in improving our understanding and management of freshwater ecosystems. Traditional approaches such as using gauged discharge data provide little information once flow ceases and no insight into the location, morphology, or persistence of river pools. However, multispectral images can be used to describe surface water, characterize hydrology, and provide insight into ecological functioning. A multispectral approach is highly cost-effective and well suited to remote intermittent rivers with little or no gauging infrastructure. Here, we develop an algorithm to extract hydrological attributes (i.e., pool area, length, perimeter, and mean width) from multispectral imagery (Sentinel-2) and use these attributes to create a suite of ecologically relevant hydrological metrics. We describechanges in attributes and metrics in a large lowland intermittent river as it transitions from wet to dry over a four-year period. We also describe temporal changes in attributes and metrics among five river sections with contrasting hydrological persistence and fragmentation.Our algorithm successfully identified surface water in the main channel and the adjacent floodplain, the centerline of pools, and their upstream and downstream ends. Metrics proved effective at describing seasonal patterns in hydrology; revealing how the size, complexity, and elongation of surface water features (e.g., pools) decreased as the study river transitioned from wet to dry and how fragmentation increased. Metrics also successfully differentiated the river sections with varied hydrological persistence. Ecohydrological metrics derived from multispectral imagery have the potential to provide meaningful insights into riverine morphology, resilience, and ecological functioning. Our spatial approach represents a significant advancement in the ability to characterize and manage intermittent rivers, which are increasingly threatened by water resource development and a drying climate.

Investigating flood exposure induced socioeconomic risk and mitigation strategy under climate change and urbanization at a city scale

Investigating future flood exposure risk and associated mitigation strategies is vital for sustainable urban development. This study coupled hydrological modeling with future climate and urbanization scenarios from Representative Concentration Pathways and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), to spatiotemporally investigate the risk of flood exposure and the effectiveness of mitigation strategy at the city scale. A highly urbanized (80% of built-up areas) and densely populated (7500 per km2) region in downtown Chaohu, China was selected as the study case. Results showed that the current hydrological pattern brought 4.64 × 106 m3 of annual runoff and 292.00 l s−1 of peak flow to the given area, thereby causing 41.03% of the population to be exposed to flooding threats and putting 51.17% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at risk. Scenario analysis demonstrated that population and GDP exposures to flood increased to at most 61.11 and 71.30% in high-carbon emission scenarios (SSP3-7.0/SSP5-8.5), respectively. The green infrastructure (GI) strategy captured at most 81.43% of runoff volume and 54.53% of peak flow, thereby decreasing population and GDP exposures to at least 18.38 and 33.04% in low-carbon emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6/SSP2-4.5), respectively. According to the uncertainty analysis, population and GDP exposures showed wide uncertainty ranges of 18.38–61.11 and 33.04–71.30% in future scenarios, and the GI strategy effectively decreased the flood exposure uncertainty ranges to 15.56–42.70 and 17.35–43.60%, respectively. In addition, the spatial analysis indicated that the population- and GDP- intensive regions were more vulnerable to flood exposure than other regions, while GI strategy in these regions showed limited effectiveness in mitigation of exposure risk. The data of this study could assist sustainable urban development in response to climate change and urbanization.

Channel Water Storage Anomaly: A New Remotely Sensed Quantity for Global River Analysis

AbstractRiver channels store large volumes of water globally, critically impacting ecological and biogeochemical processes. Despite the importance of river channel storage, there is not yet an observational constraint on this quantity. We introduce a 26‐year record of entirely remotely sensed volumetric channel water storage (CWS) change on 26 major world rivers. We find mainstem volumetric CWS climatology amplitude (CA) represents an appreciable amount of basin‐wide terrestrial water storage variability (median 2.78%, range 0.04%–12.54% across world rivers), despite mainstem rivers themselves represent an average of just 0.2% of basin area. We find that two global river routing schemes coupled with land surface models reasonably approximate CA (within ±50%) in only 11.5% (CaMa‐Flood) and 30.7% (HyMap) of rivers considered. These findings demonstrate volumetric CWS is a useful quantity for assessing global hydrological model performance, and for advancing understanding of spatial patterns in global hydrology.

Assessment of Technical Potential of Floating Solar Photovoltaic System for Electricity Generation in Zambia

Sustainable hydropower development provides a basis for a reliable and stable power source that is economical and environmentally friendly. Zambia is heavily dependent on hydropower whose hydrological pattern is facing serious threats from frequent droughts and severe weather conditions affecting power generation. However, Zambia’s hydropower is characterized by larger water reservoirs (Mulungushi, Itezhi Tezhi, Kafue Gorge and Kariba North) receiving high solar energy exceeding 2000 kWh/m2 per year. Hence, integration of floating solar PV systems with hydropower could help boost hydropower production during dry periods and save loss of water through vapor. The paper aims at assessing the technical potential of integrating floating solar PV systems for electricity generation on the existing larger hydropower water reservoirs. The findings indicate that larger hydropower reservoirs have a total surface area of 11,146 km2 equivalent to an annual theoretical solar energy potential of 25,610TWh.At 10% of the total coverage of all the surface areas, the technical potential is estimated at 172.76 GWP (Monocrystalline), 141.44 GWP (CIS) and 116.10 GWP (CdTe) equivalent to an annual solar electricity generation potential of 304 TWh, 244 TWh and 211TWh respectively. In short, Zambia has huge potential for integration of floating solar with hydropower using the existing power grid infrastructure to increase on the electricity generation for the nation. Additionally, the solar energy profile fits well with the electricity demand profile for Zambia which makes it a better alternative for the energy mix of the country. These findings are vital to providing a guide to decision-makers for the inclusion of floating solar energy in the future national energy mix and conservation of land.

Six Decades of Hindsight Into Yesa Reservoir (Central Spanish Pyrenees): River Flow Dwindles as Vegetation Cover Increases and Mediterranean Atmospheric Dynamics Take Control.

River discharge has experienced diverse changes in the last decades due to modification of hydrological patterns, anthropogenic intervention, re-vegetation or annual and interannual climatic and atmospheric fluctuations. Assessing the recent changes in river discharge and understanding the main drivers of these changes is thus extremely important from theoretical and applied points of view. More specifically, here we want to draw attention toward the impacts of streamflow changes on reservoir storage and operation. We describe the hydrological dynamics of the Yesa reservoir draining catchment, located in the central Spanish Pyrenees, and characterize the reservoir operation modes over the last 60years (1956-2020). We analyze concurrent climatic (precipitation, air temperature, drought index), atmospheric mechanisms, land cover (Normalized Different Vegetation Index) and discharge (inlet and outlet of Yesa reservoir) time-series. By using the wavelet transform methodology, we detect historical breakpoints in the hydrological dynamics at different time-scales. Distinctive periods are thus identified. More regular seasonal flows characterized the catchment's dynamics during the first decades of the study period, while the last decades were characterized by a high inter-annual variability. These changes are primarily attributed to the natural re-vegetation process that the catchment experienced. Furthermore, we related changes in atmospheric circulation with a decline of the long-term discharge temporal features. This research contributes to the understanding of long-term river discharge changes and helps to improve the reservoir management practices.

Enhancing drought resilience and energy security through complementing hydro by offshore wind power—The case of Brazil

During atypical droughts, power systems with a heavy reliance on hydropower risk increased greenhouse gas emissions if they are balanced with fossil-fired generation. This work investigates the role of offshore wind energy in reducing the vulnerability of power systems dependent on such hydrological patterns, thereby eliminating this emission increase, using Brazil as a case study. Offshore wind potential and its complementarity with hydro resources are addressed by considering bias-corrected reanalysis data. Then, a cost-minimizing model is built to analyze the effect of integrating wind farms (considering bottom-fixed and floating structures and distance to shore) into the existing power system in Brazil. Applying a lower, median, and upper bias correction factor, potentials are reduced by 8%–44% compared to uncorrected data. Irrespective of systematic bias, the findings indicate a high complementarity between Northeastern wind regimes and most hydropower basins. The share of offshore wind energy grows in scenarios with reduced costs, but wind farms are part of the optimal system even with the current costs. With increasing wind power capacity, dynamic dispatch changes, and natural gas no longer plays a role in the dry season as it currently does, but only in the rainy season on a significantly reduced scale. Existing reservoirs support the integration of offshore wind farms into highly renewable scenarios, but they are insufficient in a complete fossil fuel phaseout, where other electricity storage must be deployed to help balance the system. Yet, power systems in the scenarios with large wind capacity have less stored hydropower in the dry season than in the current system, while they store more in the rainy season, implying a reduced risk of empty reservoirs. The Brazilian power system with offshore wind farms can eliminate 54.4 Mton CO2eq/year (97% of current power sector emissions) without additional electricity storage.

Nutrient dynamics in temperate European catchments of different land use under changing climate

Study regionVltava River basin, South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, Central Europe Study focusTo understand the dynamics of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon) in streams, we combined hydrometeorological, hydrochemical and isotopic data (stable water and nitrate isotopes) from three catchments with different predominant land-use effects (forest, agricultural and settlement). New hydrological insights for the study regionOur study underlines that current climate change and associated hydrological changes, such as decrease in flow, play an important role in the transport and dynamics of nutrients in the catchment. We have found that due to the different origins and pathways, individual nutrients had diverse behaviour patterns in streams and responded differently to changing climate. Hydrological patterns in streams became clear when systematic and continuous monitoring under a changing climate was applied, highlighting the need for such data to better understand the impact of hydrological drivers, particularly for long-term dynamics. In three studied catchments, streamflow showed a decreasing trend in line with rising air temperature, declining snow cover and increasing evapotranspiration. Time series analyses of nitrate concentrations revealed decreasing trends, whereas dissolved organic carbon increased in all catchments regardless of land use. Long-term trends of total phosphorus concentrations were positive in anthropogenically impacted streams. Stable nitrate isotopes indicated distinct nitrate sources and processes, but also their seasonality in relation to hydrological patterns and land use.

Agricultural nitrate export patterns shaped by crop rotation and tile drainage

Excessive agricultural nitrate export to aquatic systems degrades water quality and causes downstream ecological crises. Limited understanding of their underlying mechanisms and controls hinders mitigation measures. Here we analyzed observations of nitrate concentration (C) and discharge (Q) in 83 intensively managed agricultural watersheds across the central U.S. Midwest (37.0–44.5 N, 97.5–80.0 W), which reveals a regionally consistent pattern in C∼Q relationships: C∼Q relationship is chemodynamic at low flows and chemostatic at high flows, i.e., C increases with Q until a threshold beyond which C levels off. Motivated by this universal pattern, we developed a coupled model at the event scale that involves mixing of quick flow with high nitrate levels coming from shallow soils and the slow flow with low nitrate levels coming from deeper soils. Its implementation in combination with seasonal patterns of hydrology and agricultural practices explains observed patterns in the C∼Q relationship across broad spatial and temporal scales and quantifies their main driving factors. Agricultural practices (i.e., corn fraction, nitrogen fertilizer use) explain 49% of spatial variability of C in quick flow during peak season, whereas tile drainage explains another 25%. Scenario analysis of changing area fraction of tile and corn using model projections sheds light on plausible pathways to assess and implement nutrient loss reduction goals.

Erosivity and rainfall patterns for Pirenópolis, Goiás, Brazil

Water erosion is one of the biggest environmental problems, causing a reduction in agricultural productivity and compromising the quality and quantity of water resources. Therefore, the development of researches that help in the planning of land use and management aiming at sustainable agriculture is a necessity in the state of Goiás. This work was carried out with the objectives of analyzing the annual distribution of rainfall erosivity, determining the factor erosivity of rain (R fator) of the universal soil loss equation (USLE) and the rainfall patterns of Pirenópolis - Goiás (GO). A pluviographic series from the period from 2002 to 2007 and a rainfall series from 1986 to 2014 were used. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design in a 7 (months) x 3 (patterns) factorial scheme. Through the results, it was possible to verify that: the erosive potential was concentrated between the months of October and April, corresponding to 94.2% of the average annual to index EI30. The factor R of the USLE for the locality of Pirenópolis - GO was 7,799.5 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 year-1, and 130.2 MJ ha-1 year-1, for the index KE> 25. The advanced hydrological pattern was the most frequent among the analyzed precipitations, followed by the delayed and intermediate patterns. According to the analysis, the intermediate pattern presents higher erosivity values for individual precipitation events for the months of November, December and April.

The Influence of Ecological Engineering on Waterbird Diversity in Different Habitats within the Xianghai Nature Reserve

The Xianghai National Nature Reserve of Jilin is located on the East Asian-Australian migration route of birds and plays an important role for migratory waterbirds. To explore the influence of restoration measures on migratory waterbird communities in Xianghai Reserve, we conducted a waterbird survey in the spring and autumn during waterbird migration from 2010 to 2020. The composition and spatial and temporal changes in waterbird communities were identified in the reserve and the diversity changes in waterbird communities were analyzed. The results showed that (1) the number of waterbirds increased significantly since restoration measures in 2012. Restoration measures has clearly promoted an improvement in the species and number of waterbirds. The number of waterbirds was approximately seven-times higher than that before restoration measures. (2) The number of rare waterbirds increased in the reserve, and the number of Anseriform waterbirds on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species rapidly increased. (3) The diversity of the waterbird community has shown some recovery in the reserve, but the variation in water level during some periods led to a regular fluctuation in waterbird diversity. Restoration measures directly changed the water surface area and the water depth in the reserve, which are important variables that influence waterbird selection of wetlands as habitats. To effectively protect and manage important stopover sites on the migratory routes of waterbirds, we suggest to rationally regulate the supplementary water level of wetlands, optimize the hydrological pattern of wetlands, and strengthen the regulation of wetland water levels.

Perspective Impact on Water Environment and Hydrological Regime Owing to Climate Change: A Review

This study summarizes reviews on climate change’s impact on the water environment and hydrological regime. The results indicate a strong relationship between the climatological parameters and hydrological patterns. This relationship can be determined in two steps: (1) define the variations in climatological factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, and (2) measure the variations in runoff and inflows to streams and river systems using different statistical and global climate modeling approaches. It is evident that the increasing global temperatures have significant positive effects on runoff variations and evapotranspiration. Similarly, the increase in temperature has speeded up the melting of glaciers and ice on hilly terrains. This is causing frequent flash floods and a gradual rise in the sea level. These factors have altered the timing of stream flow into rivers. Furthermore, the accumulation of greenhouse gases, variations in precipitation and runoff, and sea-level rise have significantly affected freshwater quality. These effects are likely to continue if timely mitigation and adaptation measures are not adopted.

Topographic gradients of soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties in central Kentucky sinkholes

AbstractAn estimated 20% of the world's land surface is underlain by lithologies favorable for karst formation. Karst features (e.g., sinkholes) and soils coevolve, likely influencing local pedogenesis, soil carbon storage, and hydrologic patterns. While karst is widespread, our understanding of the influence of karst geomorphology on pedogenesis remains limited. To better estimate the impact of karst geomorphology on pedogenesis, we characterized nine pedons as a function of landscape position (i.e., toposequence) in two subsidence sinkholes located in the Inner Bluegrass physiographic region of central Kentucky; we characterized a suite of soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. The Inner Bluegrass is underlain by a phosphatic limestone and is susceptible to karst formation. Expectedly, total carbon was greater in lowland positions relative to upland landscape positions. However, inverse relationships between elevation and clay content, selective iron, aluminum, and silicon extracts contradicted previous toposequence trends. Clay mineralogy differences between toeslope and summit positions suggested sediment transport from summit to toeslope positions. Karst geomorphology may limit pedogenesis and facilitate more rapid material export through karst conduits compared to other lithologies. Given the extent of karst terrains and lithologies susceptible to karst formation, future work is needed to understand the magnitude of the impact of karst on pedogenesis and other earth system processes.

Decadal trends in the release of terrigenous organic carbon to the Mackenzie Delta (Canadian Arctic) using satellite ocean color data (1998–2019)

Arctic rivers operate as integrators of northern high latitude regions, where large stocks of soil organic carbon (OC) are currently experiencing rapid warming. Here we show that tracking total OC in the Mackenzie Delta whose upstream catchment is underlain by permafrost soils is now possible using polar-orbiting satellite ocean color observations. A non-parametric trend analysis that is valid for hydrological data shows a significant increase in dissolved OC (DOC) as well as particulate OC (POC) concentrations in late summer (0.019 and 0.069 g m−3 year−1; p < 0.05 for both). Uncertainties of the satellite estimates of DOC and POC do not influence our results. These concentration increases are not related to changes in river discharge. Parallel increases of independent long-term (1979–2018) in situ measurements of thaw depth of the active layer, as well as meteorological and hydrological patterns suggest that these late summer increases can likely be explained by increasing inputs of permafrost OC. This study shows great promise for remote, large-scale detection of catchment-scale thaw impacts from space.

Formation Waters Delineate Diverse Hydrogeologic Conditions at a Plate Scale: Eastern Flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge

AbstractThe chemical composition of formation waters within the upper basaltic crust were calculated or measured at 24 sites on the northwest portion of the Juan de Fuca (JDF) Plate using data from sediment pore waters, scientific boreholes, and seafloor springs. Formation waters differ in composition across this ridge‐flank region because of variations in water‐rock reactions and residence times, exchange rates with overlying sediment pore waters, and microbial processes along flow paths. We interpret spatial variations in the solute composition of formation waters to resolve areas that are geochemically distinct or similar, lateral trends that result from water transport, areas where water‐rock reactions in the deeper crust are apparent, and sites of seawater recharge and formation water discharge. We provide evidence for large‐scale lateral flow associated with two (mostly) buried basement ridges on ∼1.4 and ∼3.5 Ma seafloor, which are subparallel to the JDF spreading axis to the west. Between these two ridges, where the seafloor and the sediment‐basement interface are relatively flat, formation waters have undergone extensive exchange with overlying sediment pore waters, consistent with a long residence time. Basaltic outcrops provide sites of seawater recharge and hydrothermal discharge, sometimes through the same feature, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of hydrogeologic conditions and processes. This work provides a blueprint for future plate‐scale studies to assess, for example, geologic controls of crustal age, spreading rate, and sedimentation on subsurface hydrologic patterns.

Contrasting seasons and land uses alter riverine dissolved organic matter composition

Different sources and fates control riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition in catchments of contrasting land use and climate. However, assessing the changes in DOM composition together with nutrient forms along rivers exposed to these gradients remains rare. Here we quantified the spatial and temporal patterns in DOM components and nutrient forms along the mainstem of a 5th order river through sequential forested, urban, and agricultural reaches during low flow moments in summer and winter, and two contrasting springs, one with a historically rare flooding event. There were widespread abrupt shifts in the composition of DOM in low flow seasons that coincided with changes in land use whose sources could be inferred by endmember samples and nutrient changes. DOM pools considered bio- (microbial-like) and photo-labile (Peak C), along with reactive nutrient forms (ammonium, dissolved phosphorus) tended to accumulate during the winter compared to summer. This implied higher processing during summer as microbial-humic-like DOM and nitrate dominated. DOM composition remained relatively stable under typical spring high flow conditions with reduced retention time and processing, but major shifts were observed during an extreme flood year, pointing to unusual loadings of highly labile DOM. Overall, we found that despite relatively small changes in the quantity of DOM along the axis of flow in this north temperate river, there were major spatial and temporal shifts in its composition, associated with different nutrient forms. These changes inferred contrasting loading and processing potential depending on land use and seasonal patterns in temperature and hydrology.

Abrupt diatom responses to recent climate and land use changes in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain)

The multi-proxy study of sediment cores from Lake Isoba (43° 02′ N, 5° 18′ W; 1400 m a.s.l.) allows a detailed assessment of the past hydrological and environmental dynamics in north-western Iberia resulting from the interplay between climate variability and anthropogenic impact. The combination of diatom stratigraphy, sedimentology and high-resolution elemental geochemistry along with a robust chronological framework (established by 210Pb, 137Cs and 14C dating) provides a detailed environmental reconstruction for the past ~ 500 years. Abrupt changes in the fossil diatom assemblages indicate a high sensitivity of this small lake to past environmental change and allow identifying four major stages related to the main climate fluctuations of the Little Ice Age (LIA) and recent warming. High lake levels, enhanced runoff and higher productivity characterised the middle phase of the LIA (~ 1550 to 1630 CE), indicating an overall wet climate. Conversely, shallow lake levels, decreased runoff and relatively low productivity prevailed during the last phase of the LIA and the onset of the Industrial Era (~ 1630 to 1925 CE), likely due to colder and drier conditions. High lake levels and higher carbonate input occurred after ~ 1925 CE until the 1980s CE, when our data show an abrupt drop in lake levels probably caused by a regional negative rainfall anomaly related to climate warming during the past decades. Finally, since ~ 1997 CE a remarkable and abrupt increase in the lake nutrient load and turbidity is detected, probably associated with the replacement of transhumant sheep flocks with staying cattle. The main environmental changes reconstructed at Lake Isoba mostly agree with other palaeoclimatic records from northern Spain. However, the hydrological patterns reconstructed are opposed to those observed on the northern slopes of the Cantabrian Mountains. The recent and strong impact of land-use changes on the lake, causing more ecological disruptions than previous climate changes, is noteworthy and demonstrates the high sensitivity of mountain lakes to human activities in a global change context.

A longitudinal functional connectivity comprehensive index for multi-sluice flood control system in plain urban river networks

• Dynamic quantification of hydrological function connectivity in complex river network is solved. • A new quantitative indicator of longitudinal functional connectivity is established. • The Longitudinal Functional Connectivity Comprehensive Index of Changzhou city is obtained. In the process of urbanization development, human activities have a great impact on rivers because of social and economic demands, which directly or indirectly lead to changes in the structure and function of river networks, thus making hydrological patterns tend to be chaotic and ecological environment deteriorates. In order to clarify the hydrological connectivity change mechanism of plain urban river network, the main urban area of Changzhou was taken as the study area, the Longitudinal Functional Connectivity Comprehensive Index (LFCCI) was defined. The results of temporal and spatial variation analysis of LFCCI in the study area showed that the average LFCCI in the main urban area was 1.34. Among them, the average LFCCI in flood season (May to August) were higher than those in non-flood season, the maximum and minimum values of LFCCI were 1.7 (May) and 0.63 (December) respectively, indicating that the scheduling of stations in flood season was more complex. Meanwhile, the average LFCCI of Jiuli station was the highest (2.95) and Wujin station was the lowest (0.30). However, further analysis showed that Weicun, Zaogang and Xiaohe sluices were important stations that affect the LFCCI in the study area. The evaluation method solved the problem of hydrological connectivity evaluation under the background of complex dispatching rules, and it provided important technical support for river network connection project and water environment improvement.

River culture: How socio‐ecological linkages to the rhythm of the waters develop, how they are lost, and how they can be regained

AbstractThe hydrological patterns of all natural water bodies pulse in variable rhythms of high and low water. The biodiversity of these ecosystems is driven by the changing nature of the environment, allowing different life strategies to coexist, e.g., by the fast reuse of nutrients when aquatic biota flourish in the recently wetted zones and vice versa. Much of the human culture in hydroscapes has developed as an adaptation to this rhythm, e.g., by using the flood‐fertilised floodplains for agriculture or fisheries, or by seasonal migration into or out of the floodplain (transhumance). Technological advances have allowed humans to control, change, or even eliminate this natural water rhythm by building dams, dikes, and canals. Consequently, important ecosystem functions fail, often resulting in failure of human life‐support systems but also in the failure and decline of cultural activities. I argue that the loss of socio‐cultural connectivity to the rhythms of rivers and other hydrosystems occurs in four phases: (i) loss of direct relationships (e.g., uses of waterborne resources), (ii) loss of indirect relationships (cultural activities that are connected to theses uses), (iii) turning away from the river/hydrosystem (often caused by decreased water quality), and (iv) total oblivion (caused by removal or burial of the hydrosystem). Reintegrating more riverine rhythms into human life would not mean to step back in time but rather to find a combination of revised traditional ecological knowledge, learning from nature, changing values in the context of use of natural resources, and innovations. This paper draws on social‐environmental aspects of the River Culture Concept – which attempts to reintegrate respect for the pulsing nature of hydrosystems into modern, sustainable management – and on diverse case studies. Examples are presented on how River Culture Concept approaches may contribute to revitalising socio‐ecological linkages to the rhythm of the waters.

Assessment of Morphometric Parameters as the Basis for Hydrological Inferences in Water Resource Management: A Case Study from the Sinú River Basin in Colombia

The geomorphology of a basin makes it possible for us to understand its hydrological pattern. Accordingly, satellite-based remote sensing and geo-information technologies have proven to be effective tools in the morphology analysis at the basin level. Consequently, this present study carried out a morphological analysis of the Sinú river basin, analyzing its geometric characteristics, drainage networks, and relief to develop integrated water resource management. The analyzed zone comprises an area of 13,971.7 km2 with three sub-basins, the upper, the middle, and the lower Sinú sub-basins, where seventeen morphometric parameters were evaluated using remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) tools to identify the rainwater harvesting potential index. The Sinú basin has a dendritic drainage pattern, and the results of the drainage network parameters make it possible for us to infer that the middle and lower Sinú areas are the ones mainly affected by floods. The basin geometry parameters indicate an elongated shape, implying a lesser probability of uniform and homogeneous rainfall. Additionally, the hypsometric curve shape indicates that active fluvial and alluvial sedimentary processes are present, allowing us to conclude that much of the material has been eroded and deposited in the basin’s lower zones as it could be confirmed with the geological information available. The obtained results and GIS tools confirm the basin’s geological heterogeneity. Furthermore, they were used to delimit the potential water harvesting zones following the rainwater harvesting potential index (RWHPI) methodology. The research demonstrates that drainage morphometry has a substantial impact on understanding landform processes, soil characteristics, and erosional characteristics. Additionally, the results help us understand the relationship between hydrological variables and geomorphological parameters as guidance and/or decision-making instruments for the competent authorities to establish actions for the sustainable development of the basin, flood control, water supply planning, water budgeting, and disaster mitigation within the Sinú river basin.