Abstract The commonly-used design parameter for hydraulic structures is the annual maximum instantaneous streamflow recorded by conventional gauging stations. Increased hydroclimatic variability in recent years and the resultant flooding raise questions concerning the flood risk estimations from the short flow records in Turkey. The method described in this study has been selected according to the likely estimates for the peak flow values at different return periods for the gauged basins. Hence, estimation of the peak flow values for regions with poor or rich discharge datasets could be implemented. In theory, this developed method may be used to estimate the peak flow values at any point on a river network, and not only at basin outlets. In this research, a case study has been conducted on the Firat basin, on which the largest dams in Turkey have been built, by employing a novel approach for developing a new method that calculates the peak flood flows and extreme rainfall. The results demonstrate that the approach is sound and can be employed in the prediction of peak rainfall and flow parameters in river basins.

Abstract A trend analysis was performed for historic (1901-2002) climatic variables (Rainfall, Maximum Temperature and Minimum Temperature) of Uttarakhand State located in Northern India. In the serially independent climatic variables, Mann-Kendall test (MK test) was applied to the original sample data. However, in the serially correlated series, prewhitening is utilized before employing the MK test. The results of this study indicated a declining trend of rainfall in monsoon season for seven out of thirteen districts of Uttarakhand state. However, an increasing trend was observed in Haridwar and Udhamsingh Nagar districts for summer season rainfall. For maximum and minimum temperature, a few districts exhibited a declining trend in monsoon season whereas many districts exhibited an increasing trend in winter and summer season. Mountain dominated areas (as Uttarakhand state) are specific ecosystems, distinguished by their diversity, sensitivity and intricacy. Thus the variability of rainfall and temperature has a severe and rapid impact on mountainous ecosystems. Nevertheless, mountains have significant impacts on hydrology, which may further threaten populations living in the mountain areas as well as in adjacent, lowland regions.

Abstract We worked in areas of mesophilic mountain forest in the states of Puebla, Hidalgo and Veracruz, located within the Huasteca region. By its nature, the mountain mesophyll forest is a good water catcher. But its forest cover has decreased as a consequence of anthropogenic activities, negatively impacting water catchment. The temporal evolution (1979–2015) of the humidity index of the areas where mountain mesophyll forest exists was associated with the changes in its cover from 1997 to 2016. The results show that from 1979 to 2004, the humidity index decreased as a consequence of more than 29% deforestation. From 2005 to 2016, the deforestation rate did not exceed 1% and the humidity index presented an increasing trend. The conservation of this ecosystem is recommended as a priority to improve the amount of water in the region.

Abstract Hydrogeological background motivated the development of prospective groundwater models in carbonate rocks of the Polanco Formation (Ediacaran). Field and photographic surveys were carried out (SGM, Google Earth and Drone Phantom 2 Vision+), and 3D terrain models were generated to interpret the morpho-structural characteristics of the karst relief. Boreholes and geoelectric data were surveyed. Standard prospective techniques were complemented with remote ground access technologies to generate a specific prospective model for these lithologies. As a result, it was found the existence of folds that generate an inverted relief with “cup” and “tube” type dolines, a karst relief type lapiaz, three springs and the development of wells with an average flow of 30 m 3 / h. The hydrogeochemical composition corresponds to bicarbonate-calcium waters of natural mineral water quality.