Hydrographical characteristic of basins of Bahia de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico

Abstract

A physical characterization of the drainage area of the Bahía de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico was carried out, based on different parameters and hydrographic indices. The results allowed to identify and define more precisely the baseline of the hydrographic behavior of three small "sub" basins that drain and flow into Pacific Ocean. 1) Arroyo El Pedregal, a high-risk creek, impacts independently on San Patricio-Melaque. 2) Arroyo El Organito, a moderate risk creek, runs into El Tule lagoon, and surrounds urbanized areas. 3) Arroyo Seco, its low hazard determines the hydrological conditions of Barra de Navidad lagoon. In conclusion, environmental deterioration, high degree of ecological fragmentation and deforestation, coupled with hydrographic specificities calculated by indexes, make them highly susceptible in different degrees to situations of risk and emergency due to floods and alluvial landslides, in face of increasingly frequent and powerful hydrometeorological events in recent years.