Hydrological Inferences of Morphometric Parameters for Management of River Sub-basin in Semi-arid Tropics of India using Geospatial Technique

Abstract

The runoff and sediment produced from a river basin due to effective precipitation depends on the characteristics of its catchment. The catchment characteristic is site-specific and varies from basin to basin. It depends upon the topographic characteristics, climatic parameters, soil properties, geology, and human-induced activities of the catchment. Knowledge of these factors is essential for sustainable management of natural resources, i.e. soil and water and site-specific conservation measures of the basin or watershed. Morphometric parameters of the basin truly reflect the combination of all characteristics, and this is one of the major indicators for the hydrological behaviour of any watershed or catchment. For the present study, Pairi River sub-basin, situated between 81°51'58.7"- 82°26'16.04" E longitude to 19°55'51.9"- 20°55'6.9" N latitude, has been considered for the morphometric analysis using geospatial technique . Results of morphometric analysis revealed that the Pairi sub-basin has seventh order drainage network with a dendritic pattern. The dendritic drainage pattern of the subbasin shows that the basin has homogeneous lithology and a lack of structural control. The drainage density and stream frequency indicates that the sub-basin has a gentle slope and good permeability of sub-surface material. So, this sub-basin is suitable for constructing artificial groundwater recharge structures to improve the groundwater resource. The length of overland flow revealed that surface runoff may reach the stream more quickly within the sub-basin. The bifurcation ratio varies different successive stream orders. The mean bifurcation ratio is low, indicating that the geologic structure does not distort the drainage pattern and produces low to moderate peak flow in the subbasin. The shape parameters such as form factor, circulatory ratioand elongation ratio indicate that the sub-basin is elongated in shape, high infiltration capacity, and flatter hydrograph with low to moderate runoff. This study can be useful for developing and managing natural resources of the Pairi sub-basin, like site-specific soil and water conservation measures such as check dam, percolation tank, water harvesting structure and development and management of groundwater, etc