Cambios en la hidrología del río Corbones y de su aluvial tras la puesta en funcionamiento del embalse de La Puebla de Cazalla (Andalucía)

Abstract

The Corbones River drains a basin of 1800 km2 which is situated mainly in the Guadalquivir Depression. The basin is characterized by extensive outcrops of fine-grained detrital materials (clays, marls, alluvial sediments) which favor the development of a relief of plains and hills of gentle slope. Flow rates, mostly runoff, are less than 100 mm/year. Climatology and geology of the area determine the natural flow regime of the Corbones River, characterized by winter flooding and severe droughts. In the middle course of the Corbones River, alluvial deposits form an aquifer that has traditionally been exploited for irrigation. The startup of the La Puebla de Cazalla reservoir, at the head of the basin, has improved the quantity and quality of irrigation water. However, the dam seems to have favored the abandonment of wells and limiting flooding, which could be causing a deterioration of the quality of the alluvial groundwater because of the increase of dissolved salts.