Characterization of bed load transport in mountain channels: study case in a characteristic river of the mountainous area of the southern Ecuador

The proper determination of the transport of sediment in mountain rivers constitutes an aspect of considerable importance for planning and management. The relationships proposed in the literature do not consider the specificities of the high slope channels. In contrast, there is the possibility of developing relationships under the HG hydraulic geometry theory, which contemplates aspects of balance between liquid and solid discharge in a channel. This project proposes to carry out an application and validation study of the theory of hydraulic geometry for a case of representative study of the southern region of Ecuador, in terms of its hydraulic-geometric parameters, as well as, of bed load transport rates. The project contemplates: i) Characterization of the hydraulic-geometric processes of 3 representative 3 rivers of the southern region of Ecuador, ii) characterization and monitoring of bed loading rates for a selected study case, and III) establishment of an empirical relationship for the estimation of bed loading rates for the case of study through the analysis and processing of geometric information, granulometric and granulometric properties The main flow variables identified. The project will contribute to the development and analysis of relationships from the hydraulic geometry approach, which, in addition to becoming a new tool, will contribute to the definition of methodologies that allow the systematic monitoring of processes in mountain rivers, to optimize aspects of handling and use.