PROJECT PANAMA SOLAR 44 MW

SO-Q003 1

CHIRIQU, PANAM

HYDROLOGICAL STUDY

Consultant:
Abdiel Laso M.
O. Omar Sugasti

Translation:
Alvaro Cabal Lachman
Transfenergy | SAIAZ

PANAM, MAY OF 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.

GENERAL LOCATION AND DESCRIPTIN OF PROJECT .................................................................................... 3

3.

CHIRIQUI RIVER BASIN CHARACTERIZATION ........................................................................................................ 4

3.1 Area of the Chiriqui Basin ............................................................................................................................. 4
3.1.1Type of drain.................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.1.2 Drainage of the Project Basin ....................................................................................................................... 5

4.

CLIMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................. 7

4.1 Climate............................................................................................................................................................. 7
4.2 Temperature .................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Wind .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
4.4 Relative Humidity .......................................................................................................................................... 11

5.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................................................. 12
5.1 Agrologic Capacity ......................................................................................................................................... 12

6.

PRECIPITATION ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................... 14

6.1 Estimation of average annual rainfall ............................................................................................................ 17

7.

IDF CURVES .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

8.

CONCLUSIONS AND RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 22

9.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

1.

INTRODUCTION

The present study aims to determine the relevant hydrological aspects applying methodologies grounded on
hydrological, statistical and mathematical processes globally recognized for the purpose of providing
hydrological parameters required for the construction of Solar Project.

The information on meteorology and hydrology of the study area was provided by the Department of
Hydrometeorology of the Empresa de Transmisin Elctrica, S.A. (ETESA) which, together with recent
studies, we proceeded to the selection and data depuration in a properly and reliable manner.

The 44 MW Solar Project, will be located in the district of Chiriqui, Chiriqui, Republic of Panama, in Basin
#108, denominated Chiriqui River in the Panamanian Pacific, which has a drainage area to the mouth of the
2

Sea of 1995.9 km . The major tributary or tributaries of this basin are: Caldera River, Los Valles River, Esti
River and Gualaca River.

2.

GENERAL LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The site of the 44 MW Solar project is located in the western region of the Republic, in the township of
Chiriqui, Chiriqui district and province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama. The PV projects study area is in the
lower basin of the Chiriqui River in the Pacific slope. The project site is located approximately 300 meters east
from the Interamerican Highway Bridge over the Chiriqu River.

3.

CHIRIQUI RIVER BASIN CHARACTERIZATION

Chiriqu River Basin is located in the province of Chiriqu, in the western part of the Republic of Panama,
between latitudes 8 15and 8 53 North Latitude and 82 10and 82 33 of the West Longitude.
The drainage area is 1995.9 km and the length of the main river is 130 km.

The Chiriqui Rivers main tributaries are: the Caldera , Los Valles, Esti , Gualaca and those born on the
slopes of Baru Volcano as rivers Cochea , David, Mahoe , Suns and Platanal .

Three hydroelectric schemes affect the flow records of the stations of the Chiriqui River; David, La Esperanza
and Paja de Sombrero. The system Caldera diverts with a canal, waters of the Caldera River to the Caldera
Plant, then discharging it into the Cochea River. This occurred during the period at which the Hydroelectric
Plant of Caldera was operating, (from 1955 to 1979). Currently, the waters of the Cochea River are diverted by
a channel to the Dolega Plant, subsequently discharging in the David River. Since March 1984, with the
closing of gates and the startup of the plant Edwin Fabrega (Fortuna), waters of the Chiriqui River are diverted
through a tunnel to the machine house of this plant and are then discharged into the Buenos Aires creek,
which is a tributary of the Chiriqui River.

The basin records an average annual rainfall of 3,978 mm in the upper part of it, while annual rainfall varies
between 3,330 and 7,000 mm / year. 92 % of the rainfall occurs between the months of May and December
and the remaining 8 % was recorded between January and April.

3.1

Area of the Chiriqui Basin

3.1.1

Type of drain

The drainage pattern of the Chiriqui River basin is mainly dendritic type, indicating the presence of
homogeneous soils and geological materials like soft sedimentary rocks, volcanic tuffs and glacial deposits.
However, locally some variants of this locally drainage pattern are presented, such as the rectangular and the
angled drainage pattern originating from faults, fractures and binding systems of the most resistant geological
material.

3.1.2

Drainage of the Project Basin

As shown in Map 1, the polygon on which the project is developed, is located about 300 meters from and
parallel to the downstream left bank of the Chiriqui River. And very close to the southern corner of the polygon
passes the Berrona creek, which flows into the Chiriqui River. From the map it can be observed that the
waters of the project site drain into the Quebrada La Berrona (La Berrona Creek), which eventually drains into
the Chiriqui River.
The land within the Project has few elevations with slopes less than 1%.
Concerning pluvial flooding- from rainfall on surface, there two drainage basins upstream the PV project that
could potentially affect the PV plant:

Sub-Basin 1 denominated CUENCA 1 with 48.2 Ha

Sub-Basin 2 denominated CUENCA 2 with 15.2 Ha

Currently the drainage runoff from these sub-basins, before entering the project area, is collected by drainage
ditches adjacent to the sides of the Interamerican Highway and eventually discharges into the Chiriqui River.

Therefore, we come to the conclusion that there is no danger for the PV project from incoming drainage runoff
as there is an existing drainage system in the area, protecting the Interamerican Highway, as well as the PV
plant downstream of it.

Map1. Map of Sub-Basins of the Project (denominated CUENCA 1 and CUENCA 2 on Map)

4.

CLIMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

4.1 Climate

The PV projects study area is located at the lower part of the Chiriqui River. The Chiriqu Rivers basin in its
upper part is influenced by the climate produced by the presence and altitude of the Baru volcano.
According to the Kppen classification, the project site is located between two climate zones: Tropical
savanna climate and Humid tropical climate. (See Map 2).

1) Tropical savanna climate (Awi) in the lower part of the basin: Rainfall is less than 2500 mm; is
characterized by a long dry season with monthly totals lower than 60 mm during the northern hemisphere
winter; the average temperature of the coldest month is greater than 18 C, the difference between th e mean
temperature of the warmest month and the coldest month is less than 5 C.

2) Wet tropical climate (Ami): Annual precipitation is greater than 2500 mm, one or more months with
rainfall less than 60 mm; the average mean temperature of the coldest month is below 18C. The differe nce
between the mean temperature of the warmest month and the coldest month is less than 5C.

Map 2. Climate in the Chiriqui river basin, according to the KOOPEN classification.

PROYECTO

4.2

Temperature

Thermal analysis on Basin #108, which is the Chiriqui River Basin, is represented by 3 stations: by its
elevation in its upper area will be represented by the stations of Caldera Plantand Los Naranjos, located at
920 and 1200 mamsl respectively, the Sombrero de Paja station at 388 mamsl representing the middle zone
and the David station representing the lower part.

High Zone: The analysis of the temperature records of the high region of Basin #108, obtained from the

stations of Caldera Plant and Los Naranjos, indicate a great uniformity of the temperature regime in its
environment. In Caldera Plant, the average annual oscillation, i.e. the temperature difference between the
hottest month and the coldest is 1.8 C, 21.7 C for the warmer months (March, April) and 19.9 C f or the
coldest (October). The average annual temperature is 20.7 C; the annual mean maximum is 25.0 C and the
minimum 16.5 C so that the average daily oscillat ion is 8.5 C. In the Station of Los Naranjos, temperature is
stable, in a manner that its regime is extremely uniform throughout the year with both influence of the trade
winds from the northeast and southwest due to its height above sea level (1200 m) and boundary position to
the Central Mountain Range (Cordillera Central), and its annual average oscillation reaches only 1.1 C, the
warmest month with 20.9 C in May and the coldest month with 19.8 C in January. The average annual
temperature is 20.4 C, the average maximum temperature is 25.4 C and the minimum is 15.7 C, so t hat
the average daily oscillation is 9.7 C. 1

Middle Zone: The analysis of the temperature record in the middle region of the basin was obtained from

Sombrero de Paja station and great uniformity in thermal regime is observed as throughout the Pacific side of
Panama. In Sombrero de Paja, the average annual oscillation reaches 2.2 C, with 24.1 C for the co ldest
month (October) and 26.3 C for the hottest month (April). The average annual temperature is 25.0 C, the
average maximum temperature is 29.8 C and of the minimums, 20.3 C so that we obtain an average dai ly
oscillation of 9.5 C.

Lower Zone: For the analysis of the lower area, which is precisely where the Project area is located, the

David station records are used.

According to the last 30 years of record, the average annual temperature is 27.20 C. The minimum
temperature of the coldest months is 24.80 C. and the maximum of the warmest months is 33.20 C. (S ee
chart 1).

1
2

Estudio Hidrolgico, Proyecto Hidroelctrico Cuesta de Piedra. Johnny A. Cuevas M

idem.

Chart 1. Monthly Variation of the Temperatur - David Station

34,00

Temperature in C

32,00
30,00
28,00
26,00
24,00
22,00
20,00
Medio

Ene

Feb

Mar

Abr May

Jun

Jul

Ago

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dic

26,81 27,59 28,42 28,46 27,62 26,96 26,86 26,98 26,75 26,59 26,56 26,76

Mnimo 26,00 26,30 27,00 27,20 26,80 26,30 26,10 25,80 25,60 25,50 24,80 25,00
Mximo 28,30 29,10 30,00 30,30 29,00 28,10 28,50 32,00 31,20 31,50 32,00 33,20

4.3

Wind

As for the variation of the wind, considering the David meteorological stations, which are located in the Chiriqui
River basin at 27 meters elevation, two behaviors are presented depending on the dry and rainy seasons (See
Chart 2).

With reference to Davids Station, the highest values of wind speed occur in the dry months when the region is
affected by the prevailing flow of the trade winds, recording a maximum speed of 3.30 m / s, whereas at the
beginning of the rainy season the wind speed decreases to a minimum value of 0.60 m / s.

10

Chart 2. Wind speed at 2 m - David Station

3,50
Speed of wind in m/s

3,00
2,50
2,00
1,50
1,00
0,50
0,00
Medio

Ene

Feb Mar Abr May Jun

Jul

Ago

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dic

1,47 1,93 1,88 1,44 1,04 0,93 0,91 0,92 0,96 0,93 0,89 1,03

Mnimo 1,00 1,10 1,20 1,20 0,70 0,70 0,70 0,70 0,70 0,70 0,70 0,60
Mximo 2,10 3,30 2,90 1,80 1,37 1,18 1,13 1,15 1,20 1,10 1,20 1,60

Figura 5

4.4

Relative Humidity

In terms of relative humidity, taking under consideration data from the David weather station, located in the
lower basin of Chiriqui River it can be noted that:

The average annual relative humidity is 78.54%. The lowest values occur in the dry season between January
and April. In February and March there were average records with an average of 57.75% in the rainy season.
The values undergo little variation throughout the Basin of the station. (See Chart 3).

Chart 3. Monthly variation of the Relative Humidity in % - David station

Humedad Relativa en %

100,00
90,00
80,00
70,00
60,00
50,00
40,00

Ene

Feb

Mar

Abr

May

Jun

Jul

Ago

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dic

Promedio 70,21 64,68 65,65 73,10 82,40 84,03 83,50 84,29 85,37 86,31 85,00 77,97
Mximo

77,81 74,38 75,03 82,41 87,45 87,53 86,52 87,44 88,44 88,96 89,47 83,77

Mnimo

61,23 54,36 56,87 63,27 76,58 80,75 79,55 80,39 82,30 82,71 78,00 68,45
11

5.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

According to Dr. Joseph E. Villarreal IDIAP CIAC, the soil of the project area is located in the lowland area of
the Central Pacific and Western rich soils, as acrisols majority Nitisols, cambisoles with low fertility. This soil
has low depth.

They are characterized by vast plains and plateaus of degraded soils, with the presence of native grasses and
scrub forests. Most of these soils are composed of sedimentary rocks of marine origin and volcanic tuffs. The
topography is flat to slightly undulating, with weak to very weak slopes, although eroded residual reliefs
protrude in isolated form. The predominant areas of life in these areas are: tropical rain forest, wet forest and
tropical moist pre-mountainous forest.

5.1

Agrologic Capacity

According to the Agrological map of Panama, the project area is located at Category II. It is arable with some
limitations in the choice of plants. See Map 3.

12

Map 3. Agrology in the Chiriqui river basin.

PROYECTO

13

6.

PRECIPITATION ANALYSIS

The determining factor in the seasonal distribution of rainfall throughout the Chiriqui river basin is constituted
by the annual migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.(ITCZ), which is the confluence of the trade
winds of both hemispheres, North and South. It is an area of light winds and variable convective unstable air
and strong development, with heavy rains.
The seasonal distribution of rainfall is controlled by the ITCZ , however, the totals occurring anywhere in the
country depend on factors such as elevation , topography , distance to the mountains , exposure to prevailing
winds , etc.
The pluviometric data used in the analysis of precipitation was obtained from the Department of
Hydrometeorology of Electric Transmission Company, Empresa de Transmisin Elctrica, S.A. ETESA. This
information is relevant to the Basin # 108, which denominates the Chiriqui River Basin. Stations used are:
Finca Lerida, El Valle, Caldera (Pueblo Nuevo), Potrerillo Arriba, La Cordillera, Los Palomos, Angostura de
Cochea, Veladero , Gualaca , Cermeo, Los Naranjos, Sombrero de Paja, David , Gualaca II. This analysis is
based on all the stations of the Basins and Sub-Basins adjacent to the Project.

Table 1. Precipitation measured at each station.

Station

Station

Number

Analyzed

Station

Elevation

Average Annual

Years

Type

(mamsl)

Rainfall (mm)

108-001

FINCA LRIDA

1975-2012

CC

1,700

2793.4

108-002

EL VALLE

1985-1998

CA

40

2687.3

1985-2012

CA

350

3835.5

1975-2012

CM

930

3671.4

LA CORDILLERA

1985-2012

CM

1200

2757.3

LOS PALOMOS

1985-2012

CC

420

4337.7

1985-2012

CM

210

3997.4

108-004

108-006
108-008
108-009
108-013

CALDERA
(PUEBLO NUEVO)
POTRERILLO
ARRIBA

ANGOSTURA DE
COCHEA

108-014

VELADERO GUALACA

1985-2012

CC

45

3388.3

108-015

CERMEO

1985-2012

CM

170

3266.1

108-017

LOS NARANJOS

1985-2012

BC

1200

2504.2

108-018

PAJA DE SOMBRERO

1985-2012

BC

388

3339.0

108-023

DAVID

1985-2012

AC

27

2610.3

108-043

GUALACA II

1996-2012

BC

100

4205.3

14

AC: Type A Station Conventional

BC: Type B Station Conventional
CC: Type C Conventional
CA: Type C Automatic
CM: Telemetric

In general, the Chiriqui River basin records an average annual rainfall of 3337.9 mm. 92% of the rainfall
occurs between the months of May to December and the remaining 8% was recorded between January and
April. See Table 2.

15

Table 2. Monthly rainfall in mm in the Stations at Chiriqui River Basin

STATION

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AGO

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

TOTAL

FINCA LERIDA

114.9

68.4

70.3

98.8

311.0

301.7

242.9

310.3

398.4

434.7

259.6

182.4

2793.4

EL VALLE

36.2

13.9

66.8

102.8

341.3

371.4

297.9

340.0

346.7

443.2

247.5

79.6

2687.3

CALDERA (PUEBLO NUEVO)

27.2

22.5

57.4

155.0

457.6

463.0

338.3

468.6

638.9

738.0

372.4

96.5

3835.5

POTRERILLO ARRIBA

24.4

29.5

72.9

161.7

447.5

425.2

322.4

489.2

611.8

628.8

384.2

73.8

3671.4

LA CORDILLERA

84.3

37.9

42.8

80.8

300.1

310.6

257.3

315.1

456.2

482.2

247.1

143.1

2757.3

LOS PALOMOS

48.4

51.8

88.1

209.1

539.8

524.1

441.2

564.5

657.9

700.6

390.9

121.2

4337.7

ANGOSTURA DE COCHEA

37.1

27.5

75.3

178.7

512.5

475.3

401.5

536.0

573.9

674.8

394.2

110.6

3997.4

VELADERO GUALACA

32.8

33.6

62.5

152.5

400.3

412.2

396.2

462.2

465.2

503.8

344.8

122.2

3388.3

CERMENO

36.8

28.2

62.2

142.7

409.6

396.5

339.1

433.1

473.1

509.7

341.8

93.3

3266.1

LOS NARANJOS

65.1

31.2

47.3

84.6

276.1

317.2

233.2

326.4

390.9

416.9

208.2

107.3

2504.2

PAJA DE SOMBRERO

18.7

18.4

56.7

131.0

423.5

418.1

265.8

386.3

561.3

661.7

309.0

88.6

3339.0

DAVID

28.8

16.1

27.1

91.1

344.9

317.2

328.6

350.6

356.2

404.0

262.7

83.1

2610.3

GUALACA II

36.2

40.2

69.2

184.5

528.4

478.9

447.8

585.5

598.0

663.9

436.2

136.4

4205.3

110.6

3337.9

Average

45.4

32.2

61.4

136.4

407.1

400.9

331.7

428.3

502.2

558.6

323.0

The station is located about David about 6.0 km. the project site

16

6.1

Estimation of average annual rainfall

For the calculation of precipitation (mm) that a region or basin receives, the following methods are used:

Thiessen Polygons

Method isoyets

The Thiessen Polygon method allows distribution of precipitation according to the portion of the basin in the
study area that is influenced by each station. To construct the polygons, stations are connected by straight
lines and perpendicular lines are drawn to bisect the connecting lines to form polygons around each station.

The other method used to calculate the average annual rainfall is the method of isohyets, which represents
contours of equal rainfall intensity. It can be applied after verifying the consistency of the series of
meteorological data for the stations located within and near the Basin in study.

Taking into account data from the nearest stations to the project area and using them as a reference, a map of
Isohyets generated by the Electricity Transmission Company (ETESA) in Surface Water Balance for a period
from 1971 to 2002, isohyets on the basin under study were generated. With this analysis it was obtained that
the average rainfall in the area of the site is approximately 2.900 mm. (See Map 4)

17

Map 4. Isohyets in the Chiriqu river basin

LEYENDA:
Estaciones Hidromtricas
Estaciones Pluviomtricas
Area del Proyecto
Cuenca del ro Chiriqu
3000

Isoyetas
Ros

18

7.

IDF CURVES

Precipitation, a variable of hydrological state can be characterized by the intensity, distribution in space and
time and frequency or probability of occurrence. For this it is necessary to have a large number of
observations extracted from pluviograph series, in order to define the pattern of behavior in a given area
and allow analysis or application. In this regard, the most widely used method is related to the intensity
curves Duration Frequency (IDF).

IDF curves are a graphical representation of the relationship between the intensity and a maximum
duration of rain event, associated with the frequency or period of return. For each return period there is a
different curve (Nana, 2003; Pizarroet al, 2001). Tmez (1978), in turn, defines them as those curves that
result from joining the points representing the average intensity and different duration intervals all
corresponding to the same frequency or return period.

The IDF curves are one of the most useful tools for hydrologic design of maximum flows, when rainfallrunoff models are used, such as the unitatian hydrographs or rational methods (Nana,2003). Thus, a large
number of water projects , such as designing outfeed flood , building bridges and construction of drainage
networks, among others, are defined in relation to the maximum precipitation might be expected for a given
period return.

The difficulty of Chiriqu river basin, on the one hand, is the small number of existing rainfall stations and on
the other the hand, the small number of reliable and suitable data appropriate for the creations of the IDF
curves.

For this study the rainfall IDF curves of station 108023 David (years 1971-1976) that were made by the
Department of Hydrometeorology of Electricity Transmission Company, ETESA, are presented. As
mentioned above, this station is the nearest to the project site.

19

Chart 4. Intensity-duration curves rainfall frequency

DAVID (108023) 1971-1996
350

300

250

mm/h

200

150

100

50

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

minutes

2 aos

5 aos

10 aos

15 aos

30 aos

50 aos

100 aos

20

The Drainage Department of Studies and Designs, Ministry Of Public Works (MOP), recommends using the
following formulas of rainfall intensity I (mm/h) where Tc= Concentration time in hours:

=




=





=

Period of return of 25 years




=

Period of return of 20 years




=

Period of return of 10 years

Period of return of 30 years




Period of return of 50 years

21

8.

CONCLUSIONS AND RESULTS

The results reported in this study have been supported by comprehensive and critical analysis, in such
a way to minimize any uncertainty in the results obtained.

Based on the Kppen classification, the project site is located between two climate zones: tropical
savanna climate Humid tropical climate.

The analysis results showed that the average precipitation on the Project Site is estimated at 2,900
mm per year.

The existing drainage system protecting the Interamerican Highway also prevents drainage runoff of
the exterior drainage basins from entering into the Study Area.

Idf curves most suitable for the Project Area are the ones made by ETESA using data from
meteorological station 108023 David.

22

9.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chow, Ven Te. Hidrologa Aplicada. McGraw-Hill INTERAMERICANA, S.A. Santaf de Bogota D.C..

Colombia 1994.

Cedeo, David B. Apuntes de Hidrologa. Universidad Tecnolgica de Panam, Facultad de Ingeniera

Civil, departamento de Hidrulica Sanitaria y Ciencias Ambientales, Panam, 1997.

Empresa de Transmisin Elctrica de Panam S.A., seccin de Hidrometeorologa

Balance Hdrico

Superficial de Panam, Periodo 1971-2002. Panam 2008.

Gerencia de Hidrometrologa, ETESA.

Available in: http://www.hidromet.com.pa/

23