RT02A - Lower Lincha (Puente Huayllampi)
Site Code: RT02A. GPS: S12°80846, W75°896536. Elevation: 1109m asl.
Water Quality Data
The following river and water quality data was collected from this site:
| RT02A | July 2019 | November 2019 | November 2021 | March 2022 | June 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season: | Austral Winter | Austral Summer | Austral Summer | Austral Summer | Austral Winter |
| Date: | 10.07.19 | 18.11.19 | 10.11.21 | 26.3.22 | 26.6.22 |
| Time: | 12.20 | 13.15 | 13.15 | 7.30 | 14.15 |
| Width (m) | 11.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 17.5 | 14.6 |
| Depth (Av.) (m) | 0.25 | 0.21 | 0.30 | 0.48 | |
| CSA (Av.) (m²) | 2.76 | 2.10 | 2.40 | 7.00 | |
| Velocity (Av.) (m/s) | 0.69 | 0.88 | 0.60 | 0.50 | |
| Discharge (Av.) (m³/s) | 1.900 | 1.850 | 1.435 | 3.49 | |
| Riverbed sediment | Cobbles & Boulders | Cobbles & Boulders | Mainly Boulders | Cobbles & Boulders | Pebbles & Boulders |
| Temp. (Atmospheric) (°C) | 30 | 33 | 26 | 21.2 | 23 |
| Temp. (Water) (°C) | 17.90 | 24.23 | 23.89 | 15.82 | 17.63 |
| Atmospheric pressure (mbar) | 888 | 876 | 899 | 869 | |
| Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) | 7.14 | 5.81 | 6.55 | 7.74 | 10.56 |
| Dissolved oxygen (%) | 84.4 | 82.5 | 86.5 | 93.5 | 130.2 |
| pH | 9.30 | 8.84 | 8.33 | 9.04 | |
| Conductivity (µS/cm) | 438 | 493 | 571 | 176 | 435 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (ppm) | 219 | 247 | 286 | 88 | 218 |
| ORP (mV) | 346.2 | 132.8 | 30.0 | 95.5 | 137.2 |
| Turbidity | Clear: slight greenish | Clear: | Clear: | Turbid: Faun/Beige | Clear: slightly blue/grey |
| Alkalinity (mg/l CaCO₃) | 108 (1.6N) | - | 95 (1.6N) | 62 (1.6N) | 118 (1.6N) |
| Alkalinity Tester (ppm CaCO₃) | - | - | 79 | 72 | 93 |
Data Analysis
Discharge at this site is impacted by seasonal abstraction in the upper Rio Lincha, with lower figures recorded in the summer comapred to winter. The scale of the sub-catchment and limited agriculture practised does nor reduce discharge to zero at present as happens in the Rio Viñac at sample site T1A.
At just over 1000m asl the DO readings at RT02A are as expected for both July and November data sets. The raised elevation and great fluctuations in daily temperature in such narrow and sheltered valleys will produce fluctuations in maximum absolute oxygen capacity and, in consequence, percentage saturation that therefore fluctuates with that rhythm. At DO levels from 5.8-10.6 mg/l and 84-130% oxygen saturation aquatic vertebrates survive and invertebrates thrive.
The conductivity at this site at mainly over 400 µS/cm is higher than that recorded in the main channel.
At around 9.0 the pH recorded is higher than expected and higher than the average recordings for all main channel sites but is not approaching the maximum tolerances of most aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates.
Site Description
Site RT02A is located just below the town of Catahuasi in the arid upper tropics. The Rio Cañete, at this point is downriver of limited intensively farmed lands. The use of pesticides and fertilizers is probably only higher in the various sub-catchments in the temperate zone. The valley has a narrow steeply v-shaped profile with a tall river cliff on the south bank, indicating earlier periods of flooding. As elsewhere in the drainage basin discharge is highly seasonal. Discharge measurements in February-March are considerably greater. The channel itself is choked with large boulders and rocks from land slides and earlier flooding events.
The banks are lined with scattered willow and some acacia scrub. The cultivation of crops is exclusively for subsistence farming in the marginal social groups forced onto the poorer soils. The production of maize, bananas dominate with smaller areas of avocado production. As with elsewhere in the catchment there is little or no natural vegetation remaining. The fauna and flora in the valley are depauperate with relictual west flanks endemics. The impact of water quality on the health of the environment and populations of wildlife occupying these lands is the subject of some aspects of our study here.
Tributary 02 - the Lincha subcatchment. (Eustace Barnes)
Site RT02A - the study site location: just beneath Puente Huayllampi. (John Forrest)
Site RT02A - the study site. (July 2019) (John Forrest)
Site RT02A - View downstream from the study site. (July 2019) (John Forrest)
Site RT02A - View upstream from the study site. (July 2019) (John Forrest)