Determining the Hydrological Behaviour of Catchment Based on Quantitative Morphometric Analysis in the Hard Rock Area of Nand Samand Catchment, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

India’s water resources are under tremendous pressure due to elevated demand for various purposes. The over-exploitation of these valuable resources has resulted in an imbalance in the watershed ecology. The application of spatial analysis tools in studying the morphological behaviour of watersheds has increased in recent decades worldwide due to the accessibility of the geospatial database. A morphometric analysis of a river basin is vital to determine the hydrological behaviour to develop effective management. Under the current study, morphological behaviour of Nand Samand catchment in the hard rock region was evaluated employing remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) tools. The Nand Samand catchment (Rajasthan State, India) has an area of 865.18 km2 with the highest and lowest elevations of 1318 m and 570 m above mean sea level, respectively. This study utilises a 30 m high-spatial-resolution ASTER imagery digital elevation model for delineating the catchment. The drainage network is assessed using a GIS method, and morphometric parameters like linear, areal, and relief aspects were calculated. Results were obtained for parameters viz., basin length of 82.66 km, constant channel maintenance equal to 0.68 km, stream frequency of 2.11 km−2, drainage density of 1.48 km−1, and length overflow of 0.34 km. Form factor of 0.13, and the circulatory ratio of 0.28 showed that an elongated shape characterises the study area. The results would help understand the relationship between hydrological variables and geomorphological parameters for better decision-making. The techniques used could effectively help to perform better drainage basin and channel network morphometric analyses. The found morphometric characteristics will be helpful in understanding the Nand Samand catchment and similar areas in India in order to better guide the decision-makers in providing adequate policy to the development of the region.

Morphometric Determination and Digital Geological Mapping by RS and GIS Techniques in Aseer–Jazan Contact, Southwest Saudi Arabia

“…Morphometric analysis defined the relief, linear, and aerial features of a watershed [16]. For planning and management, the mathematical analysis of drainage basin attributes offers valuable inputs for describing and understanding a variety of hydrological processes [17].…”

“…Markose et al [21] used morphometric analysis to analyse and plan the drainage basin. In the past, many researchers investigated watershed hydrology and water resource management using morphometric techniques [16,20]. Benukantha et al [22] stated that the morphometric The drainage basins analysis was used in planning and management procedures in mountainous areas (current study area).…”

“…Markose et al [21] used morphometric analysis to analyse and plan the drainage basin. In the past, many researchers investigated watershed hydrology and water resource management using morphometric techniques [16,20]. Benukantha et al [22] stated that the morphometric analysis based on GIS is the most time-saving, effective, and precise method for management and plan-ning implementation and watershed characterization since the advent of RS and GIS.…”

Estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient of Transplanted Puddled Rice Using a Modified Non-Weighing Paddy Lysimeter

“…Water is one of the most critical natural resources for almost all living organisms existing on the blue planet, and is needed for socio-economic development activities [1][2][3]. Freshwater resources are dynamically fluctuating globally owing to global warming, climate change and unsustainable anthropogenic actions [4].…”

“…Worldwide, agriculture water use currently accounts for 70% of the total water resource availability, and is mostly used for irrigation [5]. India accounts for about 17% of the world's population and has 4% of the world's freshwater resources [2]. Water resources in India are highly unevenly distributed at spatial and temporal scales [6].…”