Prioritization Of Sub-watersheds Research Articles

The Implementation of a Hybrid Model for Hilly Sub-Watershed Prioritization Using Morphometric Variables: Case Study in India

Among several components of watershed prioritization, morphometric parameters are considered to be essential elements for appropriate water resource planning and management. In the current study, nine hilly sub-watersheds are prioritized using novel hybrid model based on morphometric variables analysis at Bino Watershed (BW) located in the upper Ramganga basin, India. The proposed model is based on the hybridization of principal component analysis (PCA) with weighted-sum approach (WSA), presenting a single-frame methodology (PCWSA) for sub-watershed prioritization. The prioritization process was conducted based on several morphometric parameters including linear, areal, and shape. The PCA was performed to identify the significant correlated factor-loading matrix whereas WSA was established to provide the weights for the morphometric parameters and fix their priority ranking (PR) to be categorized based on compound factor value. The findings showed that 37.81% of total area is under highly susceptible zone sub-watersheds (SW-6 and SW-7). This is verifying the necessity for appropriate soil and water conservation measures for the area. The proposed hybrid methodology demonstrated a reliable approach for water resource planning and management, agriculture, and irrigation activities in the study region.

SWPT: An automated GIS-based tool for prioritization of sub-watersheds based on morphometric and topo-hydrological factors

The sub-watershed prioritization is the ranking of different areas of a river basin according to their need to proper planning and management of soil and water resources. Decision makers should optimally allocate the investments to critical sub-watersheds in an economically effective and technically efficient manner. Hence, this study aimed at developing a user-friendly geographic information system (GIS) tool, Sub-Watershed Prioritization Tool (SWPT), using the Python programming language to decrease any possible uncertainty. It used geospatial–statistical techniques for analyzing morphometric and topo-hydrological factors and automatically identifying critical and priority sub-watersheds. In order to assess the capability and reliability of the SWPT tool, it was successfully applied in a watershed in the Golestan Province, Northern Iran. Historical records of flood and landslide events indicated that the SWPT correctly recognized critical sub-watersheds. It provided a cost-effective approach for prioritization of sub-watersheds. Therefore, the SWPT is practically applicable and replicable to other regions where gauge data is not available for each sub-watershed.

Morphometric analysis and prioritization of sub-watersheds in a hilly watershed using weighted sum approach

In this study, morphometric analysis of 14 hilly sub-watersheds (SWs) of Naula watershed located in upper Ramganga River basin, Uttarakhand State, India, was done using remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS). The morphometric parameters used for sub-watersheds prioritization were watershed area, perimeter, stream order, mean stream length, basin length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, texture ratio, mean length of overland flow, form factor, circularity ratio, compactness coefficient, and elongation ratio. The cross-correlation analysis between morphometric parameters was performed and tested at 5% level of significance. The priority rank and category (very high, high, moderate, low, and very low) for each sub-watershed were assigned based on compound factor value. The value of compound factor for each sub-watershed was calculated using weighted sum approach (WSA). The results of this analysis illustrated that the 20.34% area under highly susceptible sub-watersheds (SW-5 and SW-10) needs appropriate soil and water conservation measures for its development and management.

Sub watershed characterization and prioritization using geoinformatics for natural resources management

The development of new advanced techniques in Spatial Information such as remote sensing and GIS are effectively used for the extraction of information about spatial features. DEM (Digital Elevation Model) is one of the important sources in extraction of drainage network and is useful for determining the quantitative description of catchment geometry i.e. morphometric analysis. Morphometric analysis has been commonly applied to prioritization of watersheds. In this study, the morphometric analysis and prioritization of seventeen Sub-watersheds of Maniari watershed, situated in Lormi block of Mungeli District Chhattisgarh State, India, was carried out. For prioritization of sub-watersheds, morphometric analysis was performed using the Linear parameters such as stream order, stream length, stream length ratio, basin length, bifurcation ratio, mean bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, texture ratio, length of overland flow and shape parameters such as form factor, shape factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, and compactness constant. The different prioritization ranks are assigned after evaluation of the compound factor. Based on the various physical characteristics of the basin, multi-criteria evaluation technique has been used to determine the most suitable water harvesting structure sites. For this purpose hydrologic soil group, slope and stream order data derived. This study confirms about 93 locations classified under the category of highly suitable sites. This mapping helps in selecting potential site for water harvesting structure.

Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds of a Western Himalayan Catchment Employing Morphological Derived Compound Index and Sediment Production Rate

Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds of a Western Himalayan Catchment Employing Morphological Derived Compound Index and Sediment Production Rate

Multi-criteria Prioritization for Sub-watersheds in Medium River Basin using AHP and Influence Approaches

Watershed is unique bio-physical unit of the Earth surface and source of resources to the human, animal and plants. AHP based multi-criteria analysis is suitable for prioritization of sub-watersheds in medium river basin for planning, management and development. Twenty five criterion i.e. area, morphimery, geology, slope, soil, rainfall and population density were selected for prioritization of medium watersheds of Upper Mula basin in Maharashtra (India). Correlation analysis is suitable for ranking the criterion selected for prioritization. Texture Ratio (25.94%), drainage texture (12.97%), stream order (8.65%), total stream length (6.49%) and ruggedness number (5.19%) show higher influences on development of watershed structure in the study area. Further, criterion like geology, rainfall, soil and population were show considerable influence in prioritization of sub-watersheds in medium river basin. Influences were estimated based on weights calculated using AHP technique. Values of influences were normalized using distribution of particular criterion within sub-watersheds. Watersheds are classified into high, moderate and low priorities. The methodology formulated in this study can be effective tool for quick prioritization of medium and major watersheds for planning and management for development.

Multi-criteria Prioritization for Sub-watersheds in Medium River Basin using AHP and Influence Approaches

Watershed is unique bio-physical unit of the Earth surface and source of resources to the human, animal and plants. AHP based multi-criteria analysis is suitable for prioritization of sub-watersheds in medium river basin for planning, management and development. Twenty five criterion i.e. area, morphimery, geology, slope, soil, rainfall and population density were selected for prioritization of medium watersheds of Upper Mula basin in Maharashtra (India). Correlation analysis is suitable for ranking the criterion selected for prioritization. Texture Ratio (25.94%), drainage texture (12.97%), stream order (8.65%), total stream length (6.49%) and ruggedness number (5.19%) show higher influences on development of watershed structure in the study area. Further, criterion like geology, rainfall, soil and population were show considerable influence in prioritization of sub-watersheds in medium river basin. Influences were estimated based on weights calculated using AHP technique. Values of influences were normalized using distribution of particular criterion within sub-watersheds. Watersheds are classified into high, moderate and low priorities. The methodology formulated in this study can be effective tool for quick prioritization of medium and major watersheds for planning and management for development.

Evaluation of watershed health using Fuzzy-ANP approach considering geo-environmental and topo-hydrological criteria

Assessment of watershed health and prioritization of sub-watersheds are needed to allocate natural resources and efficiently manage watersheds. Characterization of health and spatial prioritization of sub-watersheds in data scarce regions helps better comprehend real watershed conditions and design and implement management strategies. Previous studies on the assessment of health and prioritization of sub-watersheds in ungauged regions have not considered environmental factors and their inter-relationship. In this regard, fuzzy logic theory can be employed to improve the assessment of watershed health. The present study considered a combination of climate vulnerability (Climate Water Balance), relative erosion rate of surficial rocks, slope weighted K-factor, topographic indices, thirteen morphometric characteristics (linear, areal, and relief aspects), and potential non-point source pollution to assess watershed health, using a new framework which considers the complex linkage between human activities and natural resources. The new framework, focusing on watershed health score (WHS), was employed for the spatial prioritization of 31 sub-watersheds in the Khoy watershed, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. In this framework, an analytical network process (ANP) and fuzzy theory were used to investigate the inter-relationships between the above mentioned geo-environmental factors and to classify and rank the health of each sub-watershed in four classes. Results demonstrated that only one sub-watershed (C15) fell into the class that was defined as ‘a potentially critical zone’. This article provides a new framework and practical recommendations for watershed management agencies with a high level of assurance when there is a lack of reliable hydrometric gauge data.

Prioritization of sub-watersheds for soil erosion based on morphometric attributes using fuzzy AHP and compound factor in Jainti River basin, Jharkhand, Eastern India

Land degradation in the fringe extents of Chotanagpur plateau causes extensive harms to the land and agricultural productivity thereby human sustainability which magnets special provisions. So, this study intends to trace the erodibility nature in sub-basin scale to allocate the sub-watersheds that are very sensitive to soil erosion. Fourteen morphometric attributes which highly related to erosion processes is considered to prioritise the watersheds through the application of fuzzy inference-based analytical hierarchical process and compound factor (CF). A digital elevation model of 30 m spatial resolution along with Survey of India topographical maps and Google earth imagery are considered for extraction of basic, areal, landscape and shape morphometric attributes. Morphometric indices are converted into the unitless 8-bit data format (0–255), and priority weights are assigned to the specified range of control points in fuzzy AHP while consecutive ranks are assigned to indices based on their association with erosion process to get the CF values for each of watershed. The results of prioritisation through both approaches show a quite alike output that is both identifies sub-watershed 6 and 13 as very high erosion prone and CF classifies sub-watershed 4 and 8 as high erosion prone while fuzzy AHP recognises sub-watershed 4, 8, 5, 11, 14 under high-risk category. Therefore, both the results display good efficiency of morphometric indices in the assessment of erodibility priority in sub-basin scale.

Morphometric assessment and sub-watershed prioritization of Khari River basin in semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Watershed management is very crucial for arid and semi-arid regions dealing with limited availability of water resource. Morphometric assessment and prioritization studies provide basic criterion for effective local level watershed planning and natural resource management. The present study is an attempt to analyze morphometric characters of the Khari River basin and prioritize the sub-watersheds on the basis of ground water potentialities indicated by morphometric parameters using GIS approach. Khari River is semi-arid ephemeral; it is a tributary of Banas River, an important river of central Rajasthan (India). The basin has been subdivided in five sub-watersheds namely SW1 to SW5. Linear, areal, and relief parameters are calculated for Khari basin as well as for each sub-watershed. Morphometric parameters that are related to groundwater potentialities are ranked and compound factor values are calculated for each sub-watershed and priority is allotted based on these values. First priority is given to the least value of compound factor that indicate most deficit ground water condition. Overall results illustrate that Khari is a sixth-order stream and covers 6205 km2 area. Dendritic pattern is observed in Khari and in all the five sub-watersheds that indicate homogenous nature of underlain material and less structural control in the topography. Presence of low bifurcation ratio, low drainage density, and low drainage frequency values are favorable parameters of good permeability, infiltration in the basin, further gentle slope, coarse drainage texture, moderate to low relief, and elongated shape—all these parameters indicate good groundwater potentialities in major portions of the basin. Prioritization results show that the sub-watershed SW4 is at first priority with most deficit groundwater potential in comparison to other sub-watersheds and require water conservation measures. Sub-watershed SW4 has high values in linear parameters and low value in shape parameters that specify for poor groundwater potential, less permeability and high runoff, etc. Sub-watershed SW5 on contrary has indicated highest ground water potential in comparison to other sub-watersheds of the basin. The study provide local drainage morphometric information and preliminary prioritization for better water resource management in semi-arid region to achieve water self-sufficiency and sustainability at basin level.

A TOPSIS approach-based morphometric analysis for sub-watersheds prioritization of high Oum Er-Rbia basin, Morocco

The study area covers 1871 km2 is located in the upstream of Oum Er-Rbia river basin, between latitudes 33° and 34° North, and longitudes 4°30′ and 5°20′ East. Watersheds prioritization based on morphometric parameters through the analysis of linear, areal and relief aspects is necessary in order to develop a sustainable watersheds management plan. The High Oum Er-Rbia basin has been subdivided into 17 sub-watersheds using remote sensing data (Aster-DEM) and Geographic Information System. For prioritization of sub-watersheds. The Multi-Criteria Analysis through the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), were applied to determine the relative weights of various parameters. Linear parameters; such as bifurcation ratio (Rb), drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), drainage texture (Dt), and shape parameters such as form factor (Rf), shape basin (Bs), elongation ratio (Re), compactness constant (Cc), and circularity ratio (Rc). The present study is an attempt to use TOPSIS approach based morphometric indices for prioritization of watersheds for water and soil resources conservation and management. The results show that sub-watersheds 2 and 6 have been ranked 1 and 2 assigned to highest closeness (C i + ) to ideal solution with 0.6838 and 0.6788 respectively. These sub-watersheds must be given the highest priority for soil and water conservation measures, to insure future sustainable agriculture, water quality and to prevent silting of Ahmed El-Hansali Dam.

Multi-Criteria Watershed Prioritization of Kas Basin in Maharashtra India: AHP and Influence Approaches

Watershed is unique bio-physical unit of the Earth’s surface and source of resources to the people. These resources are being exploited for various purposes. AHP based multi-criteria analysis is useful for prioritization of watersheds for planning, management and development. Nineteen criterion i.e. Rb, Lb, A, Lb, P, Dd, P, Fs, Rf, Re, CC, Dt, T, Di, If, Rh1, Rn , slope and soils were selected for prioritization of sub-watersheds of Kas basin in Maharashtra (India). Correlation analysis suitable for robust judgment for ranking the criterion was used for prioritization of selected watersheds. Drainage intensity (27.80%), texture ratio (13.90%), bifurcation ratio (9.27%), geology (6.95%) and basin length (5.56%) show higher influence on formation of watershed structure in the region. Influences of criterion were estimated based on weights calculated using AHP techniques. Values of influences were normalized using distribution of selected criterion within the sub-watersheds. Watersheds were classified into three categories of priorities: high, moderate and low priorities. The methodology formulated in this study can be efficient tool for rapid prioritization of watersheds for planning and management for development.

Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds in a Large Semi-Arid Drainage Basin (Southern Jordan) Using Morphometric Analysis, GIS, and Multivariate Statistics

GIS-based morphometric analysis was employed to prioritize the W. Mujib-Wala watershed southern Jordan. Seventy six fourth-order sub-watersheds were prioritized using morphometric analysis of ten linear and shape parameters. Each sub-watershed is prioritized by designated ranks based on the calculated compound parameter (Cp). The total score for each sub-basin is assigned as per erosion threat. The 76 sub-basins were grouped into four categories of priority: very high (12 sub-basins, 15.8% of the total), high (32 sub-watersheds, 42.1% of the total), moderate (25 sub-watersheds, 32.9% of the total), and low (7 sub-watersheds, 9.2% of the total). Sub-watersheds categorized as very high and high are subjected to high erosion risk, thus creating an urgent need for applying soil and water conservation measures. The relative diversity in land use practices and land cover, including variation in slope and soil types, are considered in proposing suitable conservation structures for sub-watersheds connected to each priority class. The adaptation of soil conservation measures priority-wise will reduce the erosivity effect on soil loss; while increasing infiltration rates; and water availability in soil profile. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduces the basic parameters and erosion risk parameters to three components, explaining 88% of the variance. The relationships of these components to the basic and erosion risk parameters were evaluated, and then the degree of inter-correlation among the morphometric parameters was explored. The verification of priority classes obtained through morphometric analysis was tested using Discriminant Analysis (DA). The results show a complete separation existing between the identified priority classes. Thus, soil erosion risk and geomorphic conditions are found entirely different from one class to another. The present results are intended to help decision makers to plan for efficient soil and water conservation measures to achieve future agricultural sustainability in the rainfed highlands of Jordan.

Prioritization of subwatersheds based on quantitative morphometric analysis in lower Bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu, India using DEM and GIS techniques

Watershed prioritization is one of the most important processes in natural resource management system especially in areas of sustainable watershed development and planning. Morphometric characteristics are the viable entity to understand the hydrological behavior of the subwatershed. For prioritization of subwatershed, morphometric analysis was utilized by using the linear, areal, and relief aspects of the drainage basin. In this context, remote sensing and GIS has been proved to be an efficient tool to identify the morphological features. The Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps, satellite data IRS-LISS III, and Cartosat DEM data were utilized to understand the drainage pattern and also for prioritization of subwatershed areas. The prioritization of subwatershed has been attempted using novel and quantitative approaches based on compound parameter ranking for soil erosion. Lower compound factors were chosen as the most feasible for soil erosion. Based on the observation, eight subwatersheds with a higher degree of the slope were severely prone to soil erosion and remaining 21 subwatersheds occur in low-lying areas that can be developed as sustainable watersheds. The identified subwatershed requires immediate soil remediation and water conservation measures for efficient watershed planning and management. The proposed study might be helpful for resource planners, government agencies, private sectors, and other stake holders to take up soil conservation measures and fixation of water-harvesting structures for better decision making.

Landuse change impact on sub-watersheds prioritization by analytical hierarchy process (AHP)

Landuse change analysis is considered as elementary in planning and land management of a basin. The present study provides information of change in landuse in 1990, 2000, 2011, and future prediction of the year 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 of different sub-watersheds within a basin, which is a part of the Narmada river basin in central India. The major objectives involve landuse prediction by Markov Chain model and sub-watershed prioritization using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to identify and manage environmentally unstable areas in future. Different landuse categories are used as factors in prioritization analysis. Landuse of 2011 indicates a transition of about 312km2 of forest area to agricultural land and 10.64km2 to settlement in 2020, which increases to 678km2 and 21.29km2 in 2050 respectively. There is also a transition of forest to scattered forest and grasslands and increase in the areas of the rocky surface. AHP is applied to identify sub-watersheds of highest priority, which indicates the sub-watersheds 5 and 6 are of very high priority in 2011 along with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 that are in most places plain areas used for agriculture and settlements. Sub-watersheds 8 and 9, which are forest areas, are observed to be of medium to low priority in future. However, 2050 projects high priority for all the sub-watersheds that calls for efficient landuse management and decision. Most of the northern sub-watersheds of 1 to 7 and 12 of south need high priority.

Erodibility prioritization of sub-watersheds using morphometric parameters analysis and its mapping: A comparison among TOPSIS, VIKOR, SAW, and CF multi-criteria decision making models

Soil erosion, every year imposes extensive damages to human beings by means of reducing soil productivity and filling reservoirs from sedimentation in Ghaemshahr Basin in Mazandaran Province, (Iran); therefore, identifying prone areas to soil erosion for preventive measures is essential in this basin. In this research, erodibility prioritization of sub-watersheds of Ghaemshahr Basin has done using morphometric parameters analysis and different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) models such as simple additive weighing (SAW), VlseKriterijumska optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and compound factor (CF). For this purpose, Advanced Space Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER), a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with spatial resolution of 30m used for extraction and analysis of 23 morphometric parameters including basic, linear, shape, and landscape. For validation of the MCDM methods, the indices of percentage of changes and intensity of changes were used. The results of prioritization of sub-watersheds indicated that in TOPSIS and CF models, sub-watershed 30 with 0 and 13.33 scores are located in first rank, respectively, which is known as the most prone sub-watersheds to erosion. Also, results showed that sub-watersheds in terms of susceptibility to erosion, in CF model has an one category namely Low; meanwhile, in TOPSIS and VIKOR models show four classes including low, moderate, high, and very high. In contrast, for SAW model there are three classes of moderate, high, and very high susceptibility. In general, the results showed that morphometric parameters have high efficiency in identification of erosion-prone areas and also VIKOR method has higher predictive accuracy than TOPSIS, SAW, and CF models.

Identification and prioritization of sub-watersheds for land and water management using InVEST SDR model: Rmelriver basin, Tunisia

Tunisia presents many favorable conditions for the outbreak of water erosion because of its climatic and physical characteristics. This phenomenon represents a serious threat to the natural resources of soil and water. The aim of the present study is to identify the most vulnerable areas in order to help managers implement an effective management program. Thematic layers and parameters were integrated in the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Trade-offs) SDR (Sediment Delivery Ratio). Soil loss and sediment yield were calculated by the model and compared to observed data. The Rmel river basin was divided into 17 sub-watersheds using the dam axis as the main outlet. Results reveal that approximately 60% of the basin presents soil loss more than 5 ton/ha/year. Soil erosion map demonstrates that soil erosion risk increases with increased slope gradient, especially in agricultural lands. Sub-catchment prioritizations have been fixed based on soil erosion risk. Results show that sub-catchment 16 presents the highest soil loss with a value of 65 ton/ha/year. Sub-catchment presenting high soil erosion risk needs to give a high priority in conservation planning.

Applicability of Stream Order Data for Morphometric Analysis and Sub-watershed Prioritization

Sub-Watershed management and planning is integration of both technical and social aspects. Physical assessment of sub-watershed includes among many other bio-physical parameters, the morphometric analysis. The current study examines the applicability of existing stream order digital data for morphometric analysis and sub-watershed prioritization of Kailash Khola watershed. The study is based on secondary data and desk study and uses GIS data produced by Survey Department of Nepal and GIS tool for the analysis. Three linear and three aerial/shape parameters are taken for the morphometric analysis and simple ranking method based on calculated value is applied for sub-watershed prioritization. Technological tools like GIS and Remote Sensing has aided for spatial analysis using morphometric method. The study show that variation is found in vulnerability of sub-watershed in terms of linear and aerial morphometric parameters. The finding show that western part of the watershed is relatively vulnerable in terms of potential soil erosion and flooding. The study concludes that the importance of readily available stream order digital data and GIS tool and technology in identifying and analyzing priority subwatershed is reasonable. However, it is realized that spatial data at more finer spatial scale will improve the analysis and provide better analysis result and exemplify local problems in the area of topographical variation. The study suggest that, introduction of stream order data set finer scale or will allow analysis to be performed at much greater so that more localized effect of drainage morphometry in varying topographical landscape of the country could be assessed.

Morphometric Parameters-Based Prioritization of Sub-watersheds Using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process: A Case Study of Lower Barpani Watershed, India

Watershed prioritization based on erosion risk assessment using morphometric parameters can play an important role in sustainable development of natural resources. Hence, watershed prioritization through an efficient technique is prerequisite for the implementation of conservation measures. The present study makes an attempt to identify the critical sub-watersheds for prioritization in the lower Barpani watershed, India, by using morphometric parameters and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Morphometric parameters were characterized through the measurement of linear, areal and relief aspects in six sub-watersheds. These parameters helped in analyzing the hydrological and topographical characteristics of the sub-watersheds. Rank of each sub-watershed was assigned by multiplying morphometric parameters values with weights obtained through FAHP. Based on FAHP scores, the sub-watersheds were divided into three prioritization levels: high, moderate and low. The results revealed three sub-watersheds (SW2, SW4 and SW5) for high priority, one sub-watershed (SW6) for moderate priority and two sub-watersheds (SW1 and SW3) for low priority. The FAHP through extent analysis helped to calculate and assign weights to morphometric parameters and proved to be an effective method for watershed prioritization.

Prioritization of sub watersheds based on erosion hazard parameter's analysis using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Prioritization of sub watersheds based on erosion hazard parameter's analysis using remote sensing and GIS techniques