Environmental Damage in Riverside Communities of the Middle Course of the Araguari River Upstream from the Dam of the Cachoeira Caldeirão Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) Complex, in the Municipalities of Porto Grande/AP and Ferreira Gomes/AP

This article aims to analyze the occurrence of environmental damage caused by the artificial reservoir of the Cachoeira Caldeirão Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) in the geographic area of the Bambu, Areia, Sapo Seco, and Capivara communities, located along the middle course of the Araguari River, in the rural zones of the municipalities of Porto Grande-AP and Ferreira Gomes-AP. The methodological procedures involved the selection, overlay, and analysis of satellite images through a remote sensing strategy, based on the reflectance and textures of the targets involved, in order to identify metrics and the period of occurrence. The study used photointerpretation of image textures and spectral responses of the analyzed targets, selecting satellite images available for the area of interest with different spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. A field survey was conducted in the Bambu, Areia, Sapo Seco, and Capivara communities to verify in loco the affected boundaries and the degree of forest degradation within areas of illegal deforestation. The field verification covered the entire perimeter of the area using GPS, along with photographic records. The results indicate that environmental damage has occurred, as reported by local riverine residents and confirmed through field inspections and temporal analysis using satellite imagery and the BCDCA Digital Terrain Model (DTM). These analyses demonstrate the rise in water levels, which has compromised crop cultivation, particularly cassava, a key crop for flour production, one of the staple foods for riverine communities.