Rainfall, runoff and suspended sediment yield in a catchment near Valdivia, Chile

Abstract

The results of a comparative analysis or rainfall, runoff and suspended sediment yield for two 12-month periods in a catchment area near the city of Valdivia, Chile, are presented. The periods are: December 1983-november 1984 which can be considered an average year, and December 1988-November 1989 that corresponds to a dry year. Rainfall and runoff for the period December 1983-November 1984 were estimated at 2,170 and 1,150 mm, respectively, representing a runoff coefficient of 0.53. For the period December 1988-November 1989, rainfall and runoff were 1,485 and 655 mm with a runoff coefficient of 0.44. Suspended sediment yields were estimated at 90.3 and 2.6 t/km2 /year for the December 1983-November 1984 and December 1988-November 1989 periods respectively.