Efecto de los sedimentos sobre las características hidnáulicas del canal de riego Ambato-Huachi-Pelileo.

Abstract

This study quantified the effect of sedimentation on the hydraulic cha¡acteristics of the Ambato-Huachi-Pelileo irrigation canal through geometric and hydraulic analysis at six sampling points. Topographic surveys were conducted using aLeica TS02 total station and Trimble R8s differential GPS, determining the effective flow area, mean velocity by float method, Manning's coefficient, and water depth for each section. Results were validated through one-dimensional modeling in HEC-RAS 6.3.1. Sedimentation progressively reduced the effective flow area by 40% (from 1.25 rñ to 0.75 m2), increased the roughness coefficient by 43.8% (from 0.016 to 0.023), and deueased flowvelocity by 26.7% (from 0.90 m/s to 0.66 m/s). A second-degree polynomial relationship was established between Manning's coefficient and mean velocity (R' : 0.9598), confirming that increased roughness leads to proportional velocity decrease. Additionally, a linear relationship was identified between effective area reduction and water depth elevation (R3 : 0.9988). These models constitute predictive tools for Andean inigation canal management, enabling anticipation of hydraulic capacity losses and preventive maintenance planning based on quantitative indicators measurable through low-cost methods replicable by community operators.