Quantification by numerical simulation of the impact of gullies on the water budget of a basement area, southeastern Brazil.

Abstract

Many regions of the world are affected by high density of large gullies that can impact on water resources. As these impacts have not been properly evaluated, this study presents a quantification model by numerical simulation of the effect of gullying on the water budget. An active gully of a very eroded region (Bação Complex) was selected and systematically monitored during a hydrological year. The simulation of the gully area by finite element method enabled the quantification of impacts, such as baseflow reduction and groundwater drawdown in the vicinity of this erosional feature. The baseflow reduction, when extrapolated to the whole complex, showed a significant baseflow loss during the dry seasons and an increase of stream flows during the rainy seasons, favouring floods. The numerical simulation results indicate that these modifications are relevant and must be considered when managing aquifers in intensely gullied areas with problems related to water availability.