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The geomorphology of a basin makes it possible for us to understand its hydrological pattern. Accordingly, satellite-based remote sensing and geo-information technologies have proven to be effective tools in the morphology analysis at the basin level. Consequently, this present study carried out a morphological analysis of the Sinú river basin, analyzing its geometric characteristics, drainage networks, and relief to develop integrated water resource management. The analyzed zone comprises an area of 13,971.7 km2 with three sub-basins, the upper, the middle, and the lower Sinú sub-basins, where seventeen morphometric parameters were evaluated using remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) tools to identify the rainwater harvesting potential index. The Sinú basin has a dendritic drainage pattern, and the results of the drainage network parameters make it possible for us to infer that the middle and lower Sinú areas are the ones mainly affected by floods. The basin geometry parameters indicate an elongated shape, implying a lesser probability of uniform and homogeneous rainfall. Additionally, the hypsometric curve shape indicates that active fluvial and alluvial sedimentary processes are present, allowing us to conclude that much of the material has been eroded and deposited in the basin's lower zones as it could be confirmed with the geological information available. The obtained results and GIS tools confirm the basin's geological heterogeneity. Furthermore, they were used to delimit the potential water harvesting zones following the rainwater harvesting potential index (RWHPI) methodology. The research demonstrates that drainage morphometry has a substantial impact on understanding landform processes, soil characteristics, and erosional characteristics. Additionally, the results help us understand the relationship between hydrological variables and geomorphological parameters as guidance and/or decision-making instruments for the competent authorities to establish actions for the sustainable development of the basin, flood control, water supply planning, water budgeting, and disaster mitigation within the Sinú river basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global reanalysis dataset estimations of climate variables constitute an alternative for overcoming data scarcity associated with sparsely and unevenly distributed hydrometeorological networks often found in developing countries. However, reanalysis datasets require detailed validation to determine their accuracy and reliability. This paper evaluates the performance of MERRA2 and ERA5 regarding their monthly rainfall products, comparing their areal precipitation averages with estimates based on ground measurement records from 49 rain gauges managed by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) and the Thiessen polygons method in the Sinu River basin, Colombia. The performance metrics employed in this research are the correlation coefficient, the bias, the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The results show that ERA5 generally outperforms MERRA2 in the study area. However, both reanalyses consistently overestimate the monthly averages calculated from IDEAM records at all time and spatial scales. The negative NSE values indicate that historical monthly averages from IDEAM records are better predictors than both MERRA2 and ERA5 rainfall products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is the detection and analysis of existing trends in the Meta River, Colombia, based on the streamflow records from seven gauging stations in its main course, for the period between June 1983 to July 2019. The Meta River is one of the principal branches of the Orinoco River, and it has a high environmental and economic value for this South American country. The methods employed for the trend detection and quantification were the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, the modified MK (MMK) test, and the Sen's slope (SS) estimator. Statistically significant trends (at a 95% level of confidence) were detected in more than 30% of the 105 evaluated datasets. The results from the MK test indicate the presence of statistically significant downward trends in the upstream stations and upward trends in the downstream stations, with the latter presenting steep positive slopes. The findings of this study are valuable assets for water resources management and sustainable planning in the Meta River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]