ABSTRACT Heavy rainfall in conjunction with an increase in population and intensification of agricultural activities have resulted in countless problems related to flooding in watersheds. Among the techniques available for direct surface runoff (DSR) modeling and flood risk management are the Unit Hydrograph (UH) and Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (IUH). This study focuses on the evaluation of predictive capability of two conceptual IUH models (Nash and Clark), considering their original (NIUH and CIUH) and geomorphological approaches (NIUHGEO and CIUHGEO), and their advantages over two traditional synthetics UH models - Triangular (TUH) and Dimensionless (DUH), to estimate DSR hydrographs taking as reference two Brazilian watersheds with contrasting geomorphological and climatic characteristics. The main results and conclusions were: i) there was an impact of the differences in physiographical characteristics between watersheds, especially those parameters associated with soil; the dominant rainfall patterns in each watershed had an influence on flood modeling; and ii) CIUH was the most satisfactory model for both watersheds, followed by NIUH, and both models had substantial superiority over synthetic models traditionally employed; iii) although geomorphological approaches for IUH had performances slightly better than TUH and DUH, they should not be considered as standard tools for flood modeling in these watersheds.

A gestão de cheias em bacias hidrográficas brasileiras deve ser discutida e priorizada, porém o cenário atual indica lacunas quanto às informações hidrológicas com variabilidade espacial e temporal condizentes. A modelagem probabilística de eventos extremos de precipitação, buscando a extrapolação para uma frequência e duração, pode servir como excelente ferramenta de análise e tomada de decisões. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi analisar o ajuste de diferentes modelos probabilísticos a séries de precipitação máxima diária anual no Rio Grande do Sul. Séries pluviométricas de 342 estações foram ajustadas às distribuições Log-Normal a 2 e 3 parâmetros e Gumbel e a adequação foi realizada pelos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e Qui-Quadrado. Todas as distribuições de probabilidade consideradas foram adequadas; entretanto, a distribuição Log-Normal a 3 parâmetros apresentou os melhores ajustes segundo os resultados do teste Qui-Quadrado. Os parâmetros das distribuições de probabilidades apresentaram variabilidade ao longo do estado e forte relação com a localização, sugerindo que a regionalização de chuvas intensas pode ser empregada no Rio Grande do Sul como excelente ferramenta de gestão.

Flood management in Brazilian watersheds must be discussed and prioritized, however, the current scenario indicates that there are gaps in hydrological information with respect to its spatial and temporal variability. The probabilistic modelling of extreme rainfall events, having as goal to extrapolate values for a given frequency and duration, can be used as an excellent tool for analysis and decision-making. The main objective of this study was to analyse the adjustment of different probabilistic models for series of annual maximum daily rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul. Series of 342 rain gauges were adjusted to 2-parameter Log-Normal, 3-parameter Log-Normal and Gumbel probability distributions and goodness-of-fit tests were based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-Square procedures. It was found that all the distributions presented adequate results, however, 3-parameter Log-Normal distribution had the best performance in accordance with the Chi-Square test. The parameters of probability distribution presented variability over the state and a pronounced relationship with the location of rain gauges. This suggests that regionalization of high-intensity rainfall can be employed in Rio Grande do Sul as an excellent management tool.

Informações sobre vazões de estiagem são cruciais no contexto da gestão de recursos hídricos; todavia, a rede de monitoramento fluviométrico atualmente existente no Brasil não supre as necessidades dos técnicos, caso em que a análise regional pode ser empregada para estimar vazões de estiagem em locais sem monitoramento ou com um curto período de monitoramento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial de três métodos de sazonalidade aplicados à avaliação do regime temporal e espacial de vazões de estiagem no Rio Grande do Sul, de modo que possam ser usados como subsídio técnico para a regionalização em regiões hidrologicamente homogêneas. Aplicando os métodos Seasonality Ratio (SR), Seasonality Index (SI) e Seasonality Histogram (SH) com base nas séries históricas de 108 estações fluviométricas, foi possível constatar que existe uma forte sazonalidade de vazões de estiagem no estado. Entre as três medidas de sazonalidade, SI e SH foram mais apropriadas em função das características hidrológicas específicas do estado; portanto, elas podem ser consideradas metodologias relevantes para delinear regiões hidrologicamente homogêneas para a regionalização hidrológica de vazões de estiagem.

Information on stream flows in dry season is crucial in the context of water resources management, however, the existing stream flows gauging network in Brazil does not satisfy the demand of practitioners. Under these circumstances, regional analysis might be applied to estimate low stream flows at sites with no gauging or sites with little stream flow records. The objective of this study was to verify the potential of three seasonality measures applied to the evaluation of the temporal and spatial regime of low stream flows in Rio Grande do Sul, in such a way that they can be used as technical support for regionalization in hydrologically homogeneous regions. In applying the methods, Seasonality Ratio (SR), Seasonality Index (SI) and Seasonality Histogram (SH), based on historical series of 108 stream flow gauging stations, it was found that there is a pronounced seasonality of low flows in this State. Among the three seasonality measures, SI and SH were more appropriate due to specific hydrological characteristics in the state, therefore, they can be considered as relevant methodologies to delineate hydrologically homogeneous regions for the regionalization of low stream flows.