Drainage Basin Parameters Research Articles

Quantitative Analysis of Drainage Basin Parameters towards better Management of Damodar River, Eastern India

Abstract Morphometric analysis of a drainage basin is important for the study of river basin evaluation, analysis of flood hazard, watershed prioritization, and for better management of the river. Primarily to mitigate flood, India’s first multipurpose river valley project was implemented on Damodar river valley, disregarding in depth study about the basic morphometry of the river. After that, in last 50-60 years, many researchers have worked on this topic in selected watersheds or parts of Damodar river basin. The present study extended the work to entire Damodar river basin of eastern India and demarcated the basin from 59 nos. of SOI topographical maps (R.F.1:50,000) and satellite images. For detailed analysis, the whole basin was divided into 103 watersheds and each watershed was treated as a unit for the analysis. Then twenty-three morphometric variables (comprising of linear, areal and relief parameters) were used to generate dataset of the morphometric characteristics of all watersheds. Using these morphometry data, watersheds are classified into different groups based on their similarities. Further, watershed-wise amount of runoff, sediment yield and environmental flow of Damodar river have been estimated for flood and erosion management purpose. Finally, watersheds are divided into different classes as per their priority in management process. This important study may assist us to understand and manage the river properly for the future of human populations during Anthropocene.

Characterization and environmental impact assessment of gold mine tailings in arid regions: A case study of Barramiya gold mine area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Geochemical and mineralogical characterization and environmental impact assessment were performed on Barramiya gold mine tailings, Eastern Desert, Egypt. The Barramiya gold mine is situated within ophiolite-decorated Nugrus suture zone, which composed of dismembered sequence of highly deformed and metamorphosed mafic to ultramafic rocks and their hydrothermal alteration products (carbonate rocks), interbedded with meta-volcano clastic rocks of the Nubian Shield. Morphometric parameters were quantified using ArcGIS 10.0 with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) maps. A total of four tailings samples were gathered and analysed by XRF, XRD, ICP-OES/MS and ESEM. Tailings are characterized by homogeneous silty fine sand, high carbonates in the form of dolomite and ankerite, and low sulfides content in the form of arsenopyrite and pyrite relics. High concentration averages of heavy elements are found for As (2936 mg/kg), Cr (237 mg/kg), Sr (219 mg/kg), Ni (150 mg/kg), V (131 mg/kg), Zn (64 mg/kg), Cu (51 mg/kg), Co (19 mg/kg) and Pb (12 mg/kg). They reflect mafic and ultramafic rocks, graphite schists, and quartz veins of the study area. Gypsum is present as secondary phase, identified in the shrinkage crack fillings. Morphometric drainage basin parameters for wadi Barramiya basin show rectangular to subdendritic drainage pattern with a moderate hazard degree. This study recommends designing multiple-layered dry cover, overlain by plant cover at uppermost part for treatment of the gold mine tailings; otherwise, wind and water erosion can easily remove all dissolved and unconsolidated material that absorb heavy elements and would create a potential risk to the surrounding ecosystem.

Implication of drainage basin parameters of a tropical river basin of South India

Drainage morphometry provides quantitative description of the drainage system which is an important aspect of the characterisation of watersheds. Chalakudi River is one of the important rivers of the South India which has attracted attention of many environmental scientists recently because of the proposed Athirapally Hydel Project across the river. SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) data were used for preparing DEM (Digital Elevation Model), Aspect Map and Slope Map. Geographical Information System (GIS) was used for the evaluation of linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. The study reveals that the terrain exhibits dentritic and trellis pattern of drainage. The Chalakudi River Basin has a total area of 1,448.73 km2 and is designated as seventh-order basin. The drainage density of the basin is estimated as 2.54 and the lower-order streams mostly dominate the basin. The high basin relief indicates high runoff and sediment transport. The elongation ratio of the Chalakudi Basin is estimated as 0.48 and indicates that the shape of the basin is elongated. The development of stream segments in the basin area is more or less effected by rainfall. Relief ratio indicates that the discharge capability of watershed is very high and the groundwater potential is meagre. The low value of drainage density in spite of mountainous relief indicates that the area is covered by dense vegetation and resistant rocks permeated by fractures and joints. These studies are helpful in watershed development planning and wise utilization of natural resources.

Bearing, azimuth and drainage (bAd) calculator: A new GIS supported tool for quantitative analyses of drainage networks and watershed parameters

We present ‘bAd Calculator’, a new software developed in Visual Basic programme which can be applied for analyses of various drainage basin parameters, directional aspects, etc. The graphical user interface of bAd Calculator can be used for several applications such as determination of bearing and azimuth of linear features and their representation in rose diagram. Various drainage basin parameters such as drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), bifurcation ratio (Rb), mean bifurcation ratio (Rbm), steam length ratio (Rl) , drainage texture (T), texture ratio (Rt), dissection index (DI), length of overland flow (Lg), RHO coefficient, circulatory ratio (Rc), hypsometric integral (HI), etc. can be easily calculated by using the software. The software provides a point-and-click technique for rapid acquisition of watershed parameters with user-specified grids/sub-basins.

Implication of Drainage Basin Parameters of Chhoti Gandak River, Ganga Plain, India

Abstract The drainage basin parameters of the groundwater-fed Chhoti Gandak River originating in the terai area of the Ganga Plain were analyzed using topographical sheets, satellite data, and field documentation with emphasis to its implication for flood mitigation and recharging of groundwater. The analyses indicate dominance of first order streams, gentle slope gradient, low surface run-off, low sediment production, high infiltration rate, and low value of basin relief. The low water storage capacity, spreading of water and concentration of peak discharge in the distal part of the river basin explain that whenever precipitation is high in the catchment area there is flood in the distal part of the basin. The bifurcation ratio value (4.34) of this basin describes that the drainage is carved naturally by slope and local relief and not influenced by geological structures like lineaments and faults. These parameters provide useful information for the prediction of basin behavior during prolonged heavy rainfall that generate floods and suggest that water resource management and developmental planning should be done with reference to the drainage basin parameters.

Geomorphometry and fractal dimension of a riverine badland in Maharashtra

One of the most serious limitations in studying the surface morphometry of a badland landscape is the nonavailability of a very fine resolution data which is essential for such types of studies. Local relief of most of the badlands in India and also from other parts of the world exhibit limited relief amplitude, often within a few meters. The paper reports a case study carried out in a riverine badland formed along the Western Deccan Trap Region. An attempt has been made in the present paper to extract the morphometric variables of the landscape from the DEMs derived from a high resolution field generated data, because the accuracy of the DEM derived values are dependent on the pixel resolution of the DEM from which they are generated. The size of the pixel resolution should be fixed differently for different landscapes depending on the landscape process in the area. The local relief of the area is around 10 m and for such types of landscapes the topographical maps and also the web-available DEMs are of very coarse resolutions which are not suitable for the analysis. Therefore two well defined tributary catchments were chosen from the area under investigation and theodolite surveys were carried out, contours were generated with 10 cm interval, DEMs were derived by using Arc GIS software. SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) 90 m resolution data were utilized to generate DEM for the whole basin. Hypsometric and the drainage basin parameters were extracted from these data by using the same software. Fractal dimension of the whole basin and the sample basins were also obtained for the same data. The morphometric data generated were used to understand the geomorphic processes operating in the area.

Use of correlation and stepwise regression to evaluate physical controls on the stable isotope values of Panamanian rain and surface waters

To investigate the climatic controls on the stable isotope composition of surface waters from Panama, we measured δ 18O and δD on river and lake waters collected from throughout the isthmus. We statistically analyzed the isotope data using correlation ( n=162 samples) and multiple stepwise regression ( n=148 samples). Variables are δ 18O, δD, deuterium-excess ( d x), latitude, longitude, sample elevation, stream head elevation, median stream elevation above sample site, distance from the Caribbean, stream length above sampling site, estimated mean annual precipitation, and pH. Rainfall isotope data from Panama City were analyzed for temporal variability. Temporally, rainfall δ 18O values are negatively correlated with precipitation amount. Spatially, surface water δ 18O values decrease with distance from the Caribbean, an indication of progressive rainout as air masses traverse the isthmus. The Panama surface water line is defined as δ D = ( 7.6 ± 0.09 ) × δ 18 O + ( 10.1 ± 0.6 ) , statistically identical to that from Costa Rica. Respective Panama meteoric water lines based on monthly and annual data are δ D = ( 7.4 ± 0.07 ) × δ 18 O + ( 5.5 ± 0.3 ) , and δ D = ( 8.2 ± 0.60 ) × δ 18 O + ( 10.6 ± 3.3 ) . We conclude that the dominant control on rain and surface water δ 18O values associated with the Central American monsoon are temporal and spatial amount effects. Surface water δ 18O values also show significant correlations with drainage basin parameters such as median and stream head elevation, and latitude and longitude. An equation derived from stepwise multiple regression relates δ 18O values to various physical parameters and explains 74‰ of the observed isotopic variation. Weaker correlations were found between deuterium excess and physiographic variables. Our results support the use of spatial sampling of surface waters for use as a rainfall δ 18O proxy, and will benefit ongoing paleoclimatic research in humid tropical regions.

Frequency and initiation of debris flows in Grand Canyon, Arizona

Debris flows from 740 tributaries transport sediment into the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona, creating rapids that control its longitudinal profile. Debris flows mostly occur when runoff triggers failures in colluvium by a process termed “the fire hose effect.” Debris flows originate from a limited number of geologic strata, almost exclusively shales or other clay‐rich, fine‐grained formations. Observations from 1984 through 2003 provide a 20 year record of all debris flows that reached the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, and repeat photography provides a 100 year record of debris flows from 147 tributaries. Observed frequencies are 5.1 events/year from 1984 to 2003, and historic frequencies are 5.0 events/year from 1890 to 1983. Logistic regression is used to model historic frequencies based on drainage basin parameters observed to control debris flow initiation and transport. From 5 to 7 of the 16 parameters evaluated are statistically significant, including drainage area, basin relief, and the height of and gradient below debris flow source areas, variables which reflect transport distance and potential energy. The aspect of the river channel, which at least partially reflects storm movement within the canyon, is also significant. Model results are used to calculate the probability of debris flow occurrence at the river over a century for all 740 tributaries. Owing to the variability of underlying geomorphic controls, the distribution of this probability is not uniform among tributaries of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon.

Modeling the temporal variability in the flux of sediment from ungauged river basins

The suspended sediment load carried by rivers is highly variable in space and time. On a given river, the suspended sediment load is generally related to the discharge. However, at any given discharge on a specific river the suspended sediment load can vary by a couple of orders of magnitude. The temporal variations can be due to many factors including: varying water sources through a season (i.e., rain versus snowmelt), variability in the amount of easily mobilized sediment stored in the channel, changing channel morphology due to intermittent events or changing climate, and variations in erosional processes supplying sediment to the river. Many studies have looked at the causes of the temporal variability in suspended sediment load on a particular river over specific time periods and created models to simulate the variability. A review of the physical mechanisms responsible for the variability in suspended sediment load reveals the necessary components of a general suspended sediment model for ungauged (and gauged) basins. A generally applicable model is presented that accounts for the inter- and intra-annual variability of suspended sediment load of rivers. The strength of this new model is that the coefficients have strong trends between river basins that can be related to drainage basin parameters. The model accounts for basin wide characteristics through a mean exponent. A variable exponent captures the annual variability and is related to the size of the river basin. The inter-annual variability is accounted for by a variable coefficient, which has large values on small rivers. This is a result of small rivers having larger changes in the intra-annual flows and large rivers tending to have less variability.

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河道の勾配と流域の地形特性量との関係-国土数値情報を用いた計測-

河道の勾配と流域の地形特性量との関係-国土数値情報を用いた計測-