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| Title |
Some Aspects Of Alteration Of Hydrology By The Construction of Trincheras In The Pompa Basin Sierra Madre Occidental Mexico
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| Author(s) |
Griffin, Ernst Clark
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| School/Department |
Department of Geography
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| Institution |
University of Denver
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| Degree Type |
Master's
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| Degree Name |
M.A.
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| Type of Resource |
text
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| Degree Date |
1966-12
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| Digital Origin |
reformatted digital
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| Rights Statement |
All Rights Reserved
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| Reason for Restrictions |
No restrictions
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| Type of Restriction |
No restrictions
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| Keyword(s) |
Geology
Geography
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| Abstract |
This paper deals with alterations of the normal hydrologic regime of the Pompa Basin, Mesa del Huracan, Chihuahua, Mexico due to the construction of trincheras, crude stone check dams placed across stream channels, Trincheras were built in the Pompa Basin by the Unidad Industriales Forestal de Bosques de Chihuahua, a private timber company, in 1963 and 1964. They are similar in design and construction to ancient trincheras built throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico by ancient Indian civilizations. In the Pompa Basin trincheras act as water and soil conservation structures. They have altered the normal hydro-logic and erosional regimes of the basin by reducing stream competence and increasing moisture levels in the soil. The drainage pattern of the basin has been changed from a dendritic pattern to a non-integrated pattern by the construction of trincheras. Changes have taken place in the drainage area con¬trolled by the stream channels of the various arroyitos of the basin. Individual micro-drainage basins have been created by the construction of trincheras in the basin giving rise to reduced stream competence and a change in the final position of sediment deposition. Potential stream energy in the several flow channels of the Pompa Basin has been decreased by the fragmentation and obstruction of stream flow. This has lead to decreased velocities, turbulence, and volumes in the various flow channels. Water-holding capacity within the basin, both surface capacity and ground-water and soil moisture capacities, have been increased with the advent of trincheras. This is due to the holding capacity of each individual trinchera as well as greater length of time which water remains in the basin. Field observations substantiated by field measurements support the conclusion that trincheras in the Pompa Basin serve as water conservation and erosion control devices. This was a part of their avowed function when constructed and they serve their purpose well. It would seem logical to deduce that similar trincheras constructed by ancient peoples in similar environments of the Sierra Madre Occidental must have functioned in the same manner and for the same purposes as those in the Pompa Basin.
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| Handle |
http://hdl.handle.net/10176/codu:38529
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| Attached Files |
| Name |
Description |
MIMEType |
Size |
Downloads |
du_mas_1966_Griffin.pdf
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du_mas_1966_Griffin.pdf |
application/pdf |
3.94MB |
0 |
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