Analysis Hydrologic-Economic and Alternatives Current and Planned Damming in Locumba Basin, Tacna-Peru

Pino Vargas Edwin¹, Collas Chavez Manuel², Alfaro Ravello Luis¹, and Avendaño Jihuallanga Cesar¹

1. Escuela Ingeniería Civil. Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Tacna, Perú

2. Autoridad Nacional del Agua, Lima, Peru

Abstract: Locumba river basin is located in the Tacna Region, which is the most arid area of Peru. This scenario determined by nature has been exacerbated by human activities, such as rapid population growth, the expansion of the agricultural frontier, the generation of hydroelectric energy and the growth of mining activities, which is why a set of works to increase the water supply, being the most representative the 8 km long Kovire tunnel that allows the transfer of the Maure river springs, which is a transboundary basin with areas of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The upper part of the basin is characterized by being a humid area with an intense livestock and agricultural activity with 7554 hectares under irrigation; and it is also the provider of water resources for the mining units of Toquepala and Cuajone operated by the mining company SPCC. The middle and lower part of the basin is characterized by its aridity, but it is important for the Aricota lagoon, located at an altitude of 2800 masl that is currently exploited for the purpose of generating hydroelectric energy, with an operation rule that prioritizes the demand of water for power generation in response to the demand for water for agricultural use in the Locumba Valley and in Ite irrigation with 2790 hectares under irrigation. The conflict to the use of water for the increase of the demand by the different sectors, the different public and private institutions have been carried out dam studies unilaterally or isolated in the upper part of the basin to take advantage of the water availability of the rainy season , which is why a hydrological and economic analysis has been developed using the WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning System) aimed at quantifying the effects of damming alternatives and a comparison of water storage costs of the dams projected in the Southern zone of Peru.

Key words: Locumba Basin, Laguna Aricota, simulation, WEAP, Locumba Valley, surplus water, water deficits