Topo-bathymetric and hydrological study of the water system "Lagoon La Picasa", Argentina

Abstract

Knowledge of the water balance of lagoons, surface, and underground basins is essential not only to use water resources more rationally in space and time but also to improve their control and redistribution.

      The La Picasa lagoon basin is an inter-jurisdictional endorheic basin in the Argentine Republic at the intersection of Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires provinces. This basin has recently gone through recurrent floods caused by an increase in the level of the lagoon, which has affected infrastructure, transport, and agricultural activity.

      In the present work, a lagoon-scale approach is proposed. For the topo-bathymetric study, the lagoon's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was defined using data collection, fieldwork, and data processing. In contrast, a 0D water balance model was developed in the hydrological study. Based on these two models, the rainfall excesses that impacted the lagoon were analyzed and quantified for evacuation through gravity discharge, a pumping system, or a combination of both systems.

      The main objective was to define a 0D water balance model that represents the La Picasa lagoon and then uses it as a tool to evaluate future hydrological situations that may occur.