The January 2014 Flashflood in the Ambato River (Catamarca, Argentina)- A Case Study of Megaboulders Fluvial Transport

Abstract

Megaboulders mantle the steep channels of mountainous rivers, and moderate incision rates by increasing channel roughness. Direct measurement of the transport of boulders in natural rivers is difficult, therefore there are few field studies on the subject. The transportation of megaboulders downslope in catastrophic floods in urban environments releases a destructive power. This study analyses the Ambato river flood that occurred in Argentina in January 2014 with an assumed recurrence interval of 1:100 years. The flood was caused by concentrated rainfall in the upper basin, at an elevation of 4000 m.

The Ambato river forms a boulder alluvial fan drained by episodic floods. The 2014 flood caused casualties and economic losses in the village of El Rodeo in the province of Catamarca. Several houses and a bridge were destroyed and vehicles were swept away. All bedload sizes- including megaboulders with 2000 mm b-axis- were transported during the flood. The empirical equation for stream power value and the unit bedload transport rate of megaboulders were validated.

An assessment of boulder mobility is necessary to mitigate flow hazards in mountainous urban areas. The effects of climate change in semi-arid environments would be greater if they involved increased precipitation or more extreme rainstorms due to events such as El Niṅo.