Caracterização morfométrica da bacia hidrográfica do Riacho Rangel-Piauí, Brasil

Abstract

The physical characteristics of a river basin are indispensable elements for the planning and evaluation of its hydrological behavior, and assists in the decision making regarding the conservation, use and occupation of the lands. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the morphometric data of the Rangel stream, which is one of the main tributaries of the Gurguéia river, which supplies all the South of the state of Piauí, through the morphometric characterization, considering the geometry, the relief and drainage. As a result, it was verified that the basin presented a drainage of 326.18 km2 and the perimeter of 109.42 km, being characterized as a medium-sized basin. It presented an elongated shape and, together with the evaluation of relief and hydrography indices, proved to be unfavorable to floods, being classified as 4th order. The basin presents a low drainage density, high soil permeability and small hydrographic density, presenting rectilinear and low slope channels. Thus, the morphometric analysis allowed understanding of the dynamics of hydrological processes contributing to the rational management of land use in the river basin.