EROSION IN REGIONAL BASINS

EROSION IN THE CHANCAY BASIN

The Chancay River Basin - Lambayeque is located in the North of Peru in the Departments of
Lambayeque and Cajamarca, it belongs to the Pacific Slope and its water resources benefit the
Irrigation of the Tinajones System, which receives by means of transfer works the contribution of the
Rivers Chotano and Conchano.

• The basin has an area of 5555.49 km2 and bounded on the north by the basins of the Motupe-La
Leche rivers on the south by the Jequetepeque and Zaña basins, on the east by the Llaucano and
Chotano river basins and by the West with the Pacific Ocean.

Its length is 203.93 km; and in its route receives temporary contributions mainly from the Rivers
Cañad, San Lorenzo, Cirato and Cumbil.

EROSIÓN

• Strong and persistent rains, associated with the lack of protection of hillside soils
and the expansion of agricultural lands to areas of greater slope generate strong
erosion. The high erosion in the areas around Licupis, Llama, Catache, Pulán, Sexi
and the southwest of Santa Cruz confirm that the upper part of the basin is the one
that is most seriously affected

• It is assumed that the average erosion in the area is (> 60 T / Ha / year). As a

result of the high erosion, sediment production is very high, especially in the
months of higher river flows. This sediment affects the functioning and the useful
life of hydraulic equipment and structures. According to recent calculations, the
useful life of the reservoir of the hydroelectric plant of Carhuaquero will be 30%
less than originally projected.

Risk of river erosion:

Rural hamlet of Tablazos, due to the activation of the Quebrada Tablazos.

• La Puntilla Bocatoma and Tablazos Bridge, due to erosion on the banks of the Chancay River.
• Caserío de Callanca in Monsefú, due to erosion on the right bank of the Reque river.

• Reque bridges and Monsefú-Eten road, due to the drifts and erosion of the Reque river.

• Irrigation channels in Pacherres, due to lack of infrastructure for the drainage of the Pacherres ravine.

Consequences of erosion

• Reduced soil fertility

• Decrease in the productive area

• Reduction of production and productivity in crops corn, cassava

• Landslides, mudslides towards the cities downstream

• Increase in desertification: erosion, deforestation

• Abandonment of affected cropland areas.

EROSION IN THE HUANCABAMBA RIVER BASINS

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF THE BASIN


The Huancabamba River crosses through the departments of Piura and
Cajamarca, in the northern zone of Peru.

 The Huancabamba River has its origin in the Shimbe lagoon in the province of
Huancabamba at 3,300 masl, which runs from north to south, until it meets the
Chotano river to form the Chamaya river; it is located approximately between
meridians 79 ° 35 'to 79 ° 05' of west longitude and parallels 04 ° 59 'and 06 ° 10' of
south latitude respectively..

Laguna Shimbe
HUANCABAMBA - PIURA
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF THE BASIN

 Limits: Northern boundary: With the Canchis River Basin (Chinchipe River
Tributary) and Ramos River- Palo Blanco River (Chira River Tributaries)
 South border: With the basins of the San Cristobal and Olmos rivers
 Boundary on the East: With the Chinchipe River Basin
 Boundary on the West: With the basins of the Bigote and Pusmallca rivers
(Tributario del rio Piura). The Huancabamba river basin up to the city of the same
name has an area of 384.9 Km2

HYDRAULIC RESOURCES

 Geográficamente, la cuenca de Huancabamba pertenece a la vertiente del Atlántico.

 La cuenca del río Huancabamba hasta la ciudad del mismo nombre tiene una superficie de
384.9 Km2.

 El área total aproximada es de 3,530 km2, con una altura media de 1,800 m.s.n.m. y la
pendiente media del río es de 0.016.

 Los afluentes principales de la margen izquierda son los ríos Shumaya, Piquijaca y
Quismache; las de la margen derecha, Yerma, Cañariaco y Charro.

The Huancabamba River basin, except in the upper course of the river, is practically
deforested, the largest
Parts of the slopes are open with certain places covered with vegetation. According to the ONERN
in the Huancabamba basin, 6 degrees of erosion were identified:

Erosion very light 212 Km2 8.0%

Light erosion 76 Km2 2.8%

Moderate erosion 459 km2 12.3%

Moderate to severe erosion 903 km2 34.1%

Severe erosion 699 Km2 26.4%

Extreme erosion 302 Km2 11.4%

The erosion of the reservoir's margins would cause the landslide and the drag of
Loose accumulations; however, sliding bodies soaked and with base
Eroded can lose their stability. In photo 2.3 you can see one of the margins of the Huancabamba River in the
Limón zone.
You can appreciate the deforestation of this margin which increases the erosion potential