Morphological modeling of Cauca riverin the reach between La Balsa and Juanchito

Abstract

Any anthropic or natural intervention in a river causes alterations in its morphology. These alterations can propagate to very long distances downstream and upstream, creating risks for the different structures, floodings, etc. Assessment of the morphological changes in a river is possible through mathematical modeling. Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca, CVC, and Universidad del Valle developed a one-dimensional mathematical model (based in model MIKE 11) for the Cauca River in the reach of 110 km length between La Balsa and Juanchito. A first calibration was developed for the 1986-2000 period by using information of CVC and from project field measurements. A sensibility analysis allowed the identification of parameters and variables that exert the major influences on the aggradation and degradation processes in the river. The model results indicate gradual and alternated sediment erosion processes along the river due to the seasonal variation of the discharges