Dense drainage network generation of the Dominican Republic based on a medium-resolution digital elevation model

Abstract

Efficient water resource management is crucial, especially in countries that share islands, such as the Dominican Republic. However, the management of these resources is often hindered by a lack of precise and detailed information about the hydrographic network. Although there are multiple sources of geographical information on the country's hydrography, they have limitations in terms of resolution, coverage, and consistency. In this study, we present a dense hydrographic network and its corresponding basins, obtained after applying reproducible computational hydrology algorithms to a medium-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Dominican Republic. We extracted statistics on morphotopography and Hortonian variables, and characterized the streams and basins based on network order consistently. The results revealed previously unknown patterns in the hydrography, largely responding to the distribution of lithology, tectonic structures, geomorphology, and possibly climatic variables. Despite limitations such as variability in positional accuracy and the lack of complete data in plains, our result is highly accurate in mountain and foothill areas, while also making a significant methodological and data production contribution. Our work represents a significant addition to Dominican physical geography and sets a precedent in the application of computational hydrology techniques. Combining data, protocols, and analysis, the importance of this research is highlighted, providing valuable tools for future practical and scientific applications.