Regionalization of maximum, minimum and mean streamflows for the Juruena River basin, Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to regionalize maximum (Qmax), minimum (Q95), and long-term mean (Qltm) streamflows in the Juruena River Basin to further water-resource planning and management, especially regarding water-use grant rights, streamflow regulation, and hydraulic designs. To do that, a traditional method was used, which relates the interest streamflows with sub-basin physiographic parameters by linear and nonlinear regressions. In summary, the traditional method was efficient for regionalization of Q95, Qltm, and Qmax streamflows for the Juruena River Basin. Moreover, the explanatory variables able to provide the best results for regionalization of Q95 and Qltm stream flows are drainage area, total watercourse length, and sub-basin mean altitude. For Qmax regionalization, the best results were provided by explanatory variables like drainage area, perimeter, and total watercourse length.