BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO MULATO, ESTADO DO PIAUÍ: A IMPORTÂNCIA DA ANÁLISE MORFOMÉTRICA NO PLANEJAMENTO

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the morphometric characteristics of the Rio Mulato watershed, located in the north-central portion of the state of Piauí, Brazil, with a view to understanding its river dynamics in an integrated manner. For that, eight morphometric parameters were selected and applied to be analyzed, namely: hydrographic density, drainage density, sinuosity index, maintenance coefficient, channel gradient, relief ratio and circularity index. The delimitation of the basin, the morphometric characterization and their analyzes were obtained in a Geographic Information System environment, through geoprocessing tools and techniques. The results obtained showed that it has lithostructural control, tends to circulate and has low drainage density, resulting in high infiltration rates and low surface runoff, limiting its potential in the generation of new river channels, due to its physical attributes, geological and topographic, considering that the infiltration
process prevails, while the surface runoff is small. It has a subparallel type of drainage, since it is located in areas with steep slopes, in addition to structural controls that motivate the occurrence of regular spacing of river currents, being classified as fourth order. The relief is slightly wavy, showing low erosive potential. Thus, it is observed that the understanding of the natural dynamics of the Mulato River watershed, considering the morphometric parameters, tends to contribute to planning in its various spheres, from the geosocioeconomic practices that permeate this geographic space