Subsurface Drainage and Storage Properties in the Western Ghats – A Study in the Basin of Netravati

Water circulation and governing factors in humid tropical river basins in the central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

“…). The dominant soil water contribution to upstream runoff is also observed through the hydrological properties (measuring infiltration rates, runoff, subsurface matrix flow and groundwater levels) at the headwater region of the Nethravati basin in the Western Ghats . The isotopic assessment of hydrology in the semi‐arid region of Karnataka also highlights the significance of soil contribution in the catchment hydrology.…”

“…Deciphering the factors controlling the moisture sources through a stable isotopes approach has helped to refine the contribution of dominant water sources in the river basins of the western part of the Western Ghats. Only a few studies have focused on water circulation in the western part of the Western Ghats region of Karnataka through an investigation of the hydrological properties . In addition, the isotopic assessment of hydrology is limited in the western part of the Western Ghats and in Karnataka .…”

“…The high rainfall in the region supports the development of a highly porous thick soil mantle, above the bed rock, extending downwards from about a meter to more than 30 m depth. The hydrological properties of the soil and the possible factors affecting the runoff process at the upper catchment of Nethravati basin, in the Western Ghats have recently been studied by Chaitra et al …”

“…The high rainfall in the region supports the development of a highly porous thick soil mantle, above the bed rock, extending downwards from about a meter to more than 30 m depth. The hydrological properties of the soil and the possible factors affecting the runoff process at the upper catchment of Nethravati basin, in the Western Ghats have recently been studied by Chaitra et al [34] Methodology Samples of river water, groundwater and rainwater samples were collected in the western part (Swarna-Madisal and Nethravati-Gurupur basins) of the Western Ghats of Karnataka (and at the northern border of Kerala) between August 2010 and December 2013. Water samples from river and groundwater were collected spatially from upland to coasts and temporally on a seasonal basis between August 2010 and June 2012 in these basins and in other parts during November, 2011 and 2013.…”

“…Only a few studies have focused on water circulation in the western part of the Western Ghats region of Karnataka through an investigation of the hydrological properties. [2,34,50,51] In addition, the isotopic assessment of hydrology is limited in the western part [52] of the Western Ghats and in Karnataka. [53] This study is the first to focus on the water circulation with an intensive stable isotope approach (samples of river water, groundwater, rainwater; seasonal and spatial sampling) in this part of the Western Ghats and also in the highest rainfall-receiving region in South India (with places like Agumbe receiving 7000-8000 mm annual rainfall).…”