Assessment of morphometric characteristics of Chakrar watershed in Madhya Pradesh India using geospatial technique

Sandeep Soni

doi:10.1007/s13201-016-0395-2

Abstract

The quantitative analysis of the watershed is important for the quantification of the channel network and to understand its geo-hydrological behaviour. Assessment of drainage network and their relative parameters have been quantitatively carried out for the Chakrar watershed of Madhya Pradesh, India, to understand the prevailing geological variation, topographic information and structural setup of the watershed and their interrelationship. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used for the delineation and calculation of the morphometric parameters of the watershed. The Chakrar watershed is sprawled over an area of 415 km2 with dendritic, parallel and trellis drainage pattern. It is sub-divided into nine sub-watersheds. The study area is designated as sixth-order basin and lower and middle order streams mostly dominate the basin with the drainage density value of 2.46 km/km2 which exhibits gentle to steep slope terrain, medium dense vegetation, and less permeable with medium precipitation. The mean bifurcation value of the basin is 4.16 and value of nine sub-watersheds varies from 2.83 to 4.44 which reveals drainage networks formed on homogeneous rocks when the influences of geologic structures on the stream network is negligible. Form factor, circularity ratio and elongation ratio indicate an elongated basin shape having less prone to flood, lower erosion and sediment transport capacities. The results from the morphometric assessment of the watershed are important in water resources evaluation and its management and for the selection of recharge structure in the area for future water management.

Highlights

IntroductionRiver basins (the land area between the source and the mouth of a river including all of the lands that drain into the river) influenced by catchment discharges are important geographical units for water resource management
River basins influenced by catchment discharges are important geographical units for water resource management
River basin characterization of Chakrar watershed and its sub-watershed revealed the importance of morphometric analysis in terrain depiction and basin evolution

Summary

Introduction

River basins (the land area between the source and the mouth of a river including all of the lands that drain into the river) influenced by catchment discharges are important geographical units for water resource management. The quantitative analysis of morphometric parameters is found to have immense utility in river basin evaluation, watershed prioritization for soil and water conservation and natural resource management at watershed level (Malik et al 2011). Morphometric analysis is executed to understand the conservation measures and management of water resources for sustainable livelihood through Remote Sensing and GIS technique. There is one common rock, i.e. basaltic lava flow of the Deccan Trap, made up principally of volcanic basic igneous rock. Climatic characteristics of the study area is long hot summers, medium high monsoon rains and pleasantly cool winters. Such climate can be categorized under sub-continental type of sub-tropical monsoon climate. This study is necessary for watershed management and sustainability

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion