Impact of Dense Reservoir Networks on Water Resources in Semiarid Environments

Abstract

The northeast of Brazil is a semiarid region where water scarcity is a major problem dealt with by the construction of dams. This policy generated a dense reservoir network in the region, resulting in a complex system. The impacts of the network have been assessed, and the results showed that the existence of a large number of small dams upstream the strategic ones, impact both negatively and positively the overall water availability. The negative effects of the network are mainly high evaporation losses from small reservoirs, and the fact that they add considerable complexity to the management of the system. On the other hand, the reservoirs generate a more democratic water distribution and higher energy rationality, as a consequence of the better spatial distribution of the water resources. In addition, sediment retention in the network leads to lower silting rate of strategic reservoirs, meaning lower temporal decay in water availability in the already water-scarce region.

Key Words:

• Reservoir network
• water availability
• semiarid

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J C de Araújo

José Carlos de Araújo is an Associate Professor of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil. A civil engineer, he graduated at UFC in 1985, worked as a consulting engineer for hydraulic works (mainly dams and irrigation systems in the Brazilian semiarid region) in the beginning of his professional life. Later, he dedicated his effort towards the academic life, achieving his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (University of Hannover, 1989) and Doctorate in Hydraulic and Sanitation Engineering at the University of Sao Paulo (1994). He joined the Academy in 1993 at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, moving to UFC in 1996. Since 2003, José has coordinated the Hidrosed Research Group, which, among others, operates the Aiuaba Experimental Basin and collaborates in the construction of the WASASED hydro-sedimentological model. Researching and lecturing especially in the areas of physical hydrology and water resources management, he has actively taken part in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Hydrological Network, and has gathered international experience, having worked with partners from countries like Germany, Holland, Cuba, Switzerland, Spain, UK, France, Cape Verde and Australia. Besides spending a sabbatical year at the University of Birmingham (2004) and another at the University of Potsdam (2012-2013), José was Visiting Professor at the Universities of Valladolid (2010) and Havana (2008). Since his engagement at the UFC, he has advised eight Doctorate and 35 Master’s students, has published 37 peer-reviewed papers, and has organised an international book.

P H A Medeiros

Pedro Henrique Augusto Medeiros is Professor of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Ceará (IFCE), Brazil, in the field of environmental and sanitation engineering, lecturing in hydrology and water resources related areas since 2010. A civil engineer, he graduated at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil, in 2002, and then achieved his Masters (2005) and Doctorate (2009) degrees in Civil Engineering - Water Resources at UFC. He worked as consulting engineer in the design of hydraulic works and the development of studies in hydrology and water resources management. Pedro is member of the Group of Hydrossedimentological Research in the Semiarid (HIDROSED) and Research and Extension Group on Water and Soil Management in the Semiarid (MASSA). Since 2006 has worked with partners from Germany (University of Potsdam and German Research Centre for Geosciences), focusing his research activities on the monitoring and modelling of water and sediment fluxes in semiarid environments.