Study Area

This research was performed in the upper basin of the Aconcagua river located in V region of Valparaíso in central Chile. Basin localization is delimited by 32° - 33° south latitude parallels and 71°30' - 70° west longitude meridians.

When we talk about an upper basin, we generally refer to a basin located above 1.500 msnm (about 5.000 ft); were variables such as wind, solid or liquid precipitation, temperature, incident solar radiation, etc, play a very important role in snowpack parametrization/characterization. Hence, we have chosen a mountainous sub basin as our study basin: Estero Navarro (Navarro's Creek) 

Figure: General basin localization. In red Aconcagua river basin and in blue Navarro sub basin

Navarro's sub basin is located in the upper basin of the Aconcagua river, so is characterized by a cold mountainous weather. Its average elevation reaches 3.879 masl (12.730 fasl). According to WMS 7.1 simulations, this sub basin covers an approximate area of 60,9 square kilometers (23,5 square  miles). Furthermore, it is estimated that 55% of its slopes are north-facing.

Figure: Navarro basin elevation (in meters above mean sea level, masl)

 

As you could realize, Navarro basin is located in an elevated area of Chile's Central Andes. Navarro's highest peaks are Cerro Leon Blanco 5.158 masl, Cerro Puntón amarillo 4.159 masl, and Portezuelo de Navarro 4.140 masl.

 

Figure: Navarro Basin Chart