Application of methods with a statistical approach to estimate minimum hydrological flows in the Dulce River (Argentina): Individual indices and flow regime

The minimum hydrological flow is an important parameter for the management of the water resource and its determination is carried out according to a careful analysis that combines physical (depth, speed and substrate); chemical ( temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity), and biological characteristics. Methods with statistical approaches are an option to consider as a first approximation in regions where flow data are scarce due to their lack of measurement or their short coverage period. The Rio Dulce is the main tributary to the Mar Chiquita Lagoon, an important large-scale ecosystem located between the provinces of Cordoba and Santiago del Estero.central region of Argentina. and which during the last 20 years presented a surface variation of 6 550 to 2 500 km(2) between 2003 and 2014. The main objective was to apply in sections of interest hydrological methods with a statistical approach to analyze and approximate the minimum necessary flows of the Dulce River. For this, flow series were used in periods after the construction of the main regulation works in the basin in order to consider the variation of the natural regime of the River due to their execution. These novel results of minimum hydrological flow are presented by means of an annual hydrological minimum index, and by means of a monthly variation of the flow defined as the flow regime.