Water balances and remote sensing applied to the study of floods in the Rio de la Plata coastal plain, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hydrological conditions under which flood events occur in the coastal plain of the Rio de la Plata in Punta Indio, Buenos Aires, Argentina by the analysis of water balances and satellite images with a methodological approach applicable to other flatlands. Landsat images for the period 2008 -2014 were analyzed to identify flood situations and base flow conditions. For the same period, daily soil water balances were performed to assess surpluses, deficits, and soil water storage. The results show that the response of the coastal plain in relation to the presence of flooding is large-ly conditioned by the previous existence of water surpluses and soil moisture at the time of precipitation.