Morphometric evaluation of watersheds in Caxias do Sul City, Brazil, using SRTM (DEM) data and GIS

The morphological characteristics of watersheds play an important role on its hydrological behavior. Hence, the knowledge of the natural conditions of the watershed can ensure a greater efficiency of interventions that may be performed and therefore environmental planning should consider elements such as the characterization of these units, being a necessary quantitative expression of these factors for an understanding of its interrelationships. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze the physical characteristics of the watersheds of the Tega, Maestra, Faxinal, Belo, Pinhal and Piaí rivers, located in Caxias do Sul, in southern Brazil. The main results indicate moderate drainage conditions in these watersheds, which might be associated with moderate transmissibility of the soil and also moderate susceptibility to erosion. Furthermore, the results indicate high constants of channel maintenance and elongated shape, to which can be attributed a good capacity of groundwater recharge. Finally, it is hoped that this study will help future research in these areas, besides supporting the planning and management of watersheds.