Patterns of flow evolution in the central area of the Romanian Plain, Case study: the Calnistea Catchment (Romania)

This paper seeks to emphasize the flow variability in the Calnistea catchment by analyzing the local physiographic factors. The research has shown that the amount of precipitation that falls to the ground is low, the rocks in the region are soft, but highly permeable, gradients are gentle in most of the territory and vegetal cover is sparse and therefore cannot hold important amounts of water. Under the circumstances, the flow is controlled especially by precipitation, gradient and rock permeability, which largely explains the rather low values of the drainage density, as well as the frequency with which the rivers dry up completely. The moisture deficit of the summer season is compensated to a certain extent by the existence of a chain of ponds along the main streams. The situation could further be improved if local authorities will find the necessary financial means in order to excavate artificial channels to bring water from the neighboring catchments. Although the flow values are generally low, under exceptional synoptic conditions the heavy rainfalls can lead to the formation of flash floods that can damage settlements, transportation routes and crops. Consequently, it is necessary to build protection levees in the lowlands and to regulate the stream flow.
 
REFERENCES
Cocos, A. (2006) Analiza scurgerii medii lichide in bazinul hidrografic al raului Calnistea, Comunicari de Geografie, vol X, Editura Universitatii din Bucuresti, pp. 267-272.
Cocos, A. and Cocos, O. (2005) Particularităţile reţelei de văi din bazinul hidrografic al râului Câlniştea, Comunicări de geografie, vol. IX, Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti, pp. 311-316.
Cocos, A. and Cocos, O. (2007) Cartographic Analysis of the Relief in the Câlniştea Catchment, Analele Universităţii de Vest din Timişoara, Geografie, 15: 27- 40.
Cocos, A. and Cocos, O. (2010) Romanian agriculture in the post-communist era, The Pennsylvania Geographer, 48: 55-63.
Demeter, T. (1999) Valea Argesului – sectorul mijlociu si inferior. Studiu pedoclimatic, Editura Universitatii din Bucuresti
Drobot, R. (1997) Bazele statistice ale hidrologiei, Editura Didactică şi Pedagogică, Bucureşti
Grecu, F., Zaharia, L., Ghita, C., and Vacaru, L. (2010) The Dynamic Factors of Hydrogeomorphic Vulnerability in the Central Sector of the Romanian Plain, Metalurgia International, Special Issue No. 9, Editura Stiintifica, Bucuresti.
Ionesi, L. (1994) Geologia unitatilor de platforma si a orogenului nord Dobrogean, Editura Tehnica, Bucuresti
 Mallows, C. (1998) The zeroth problem, American Statistician, 52:  1-9
Pisota, I. (2000) Cateva observatii hidrologice asupra raurilor din Campia Romana, Comunicari de Geografie, Vol. 4, Editura Universitatii din Bucuresti, pp. 221-230.
Pisota, I. and Cocoş, O. (2003) Unele observaţii hidrologice referitoare la bazinul râului Neajlov, Comunicări de Geografie, vol. VII, Bucureşti, pp. 183- 188.
Pisota, I. and Moisiu, C. (1975) Cateva observatii asupra fenomenului secarii apelor pe unele rauri din Campia Romana, Realizari in Geografia Romaniei, Bucuresti.
Rao, A.R. and Srinivas, V.V. (2008) Regionalization of Watersheds: An Approach based on cluster analysis, Series Water Science and Technology Library, Springer Publishers.
 Rogerson, P.A. (2006) Statistical Methods for Geography: A Student Guide, Sage, London, UK.