Morphometric Analysis of Drainage Basin Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of Etmadpur Tehsil, Agra District, U.P.

Abstract

Morphometric analysis of a drainage basin demonstrates the dynamic equilibrium that has been achieved due to interaction between matter and energy.  It helps to understand the prevailing geo-hydrological characteristics of the drainage basins. In the present study, morphometric analysis has been carried out using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques to assess the geo-hydrological characteristics of four sub-watersheds of Etmadpur area of Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. The morphometric parameters of the sub-watersheds are discussed with respect to linear, areal and relief aspects. The Etmadpur watershed is characterized by dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. The high values of Bifurcation Ratio (R_b) among all the sub-watersheds indicate the possibilities of structural control over the drainage pattern. The Circularity Ratio (R_c) values ranges from 0.20 to 0.62; while its value for sub-watershed B-II and B-III indicate them to be almost circular and structurally influenced, whereas the for B-I and B-IV watersheds are found in the order of less than 0.57 which indicates that the sub-watersheds are elongated ones. The values of Elongation Ratio (R_e) for these sub-watersheds vary from 0.36 to 0.73, suggesting high relief and steep ground slope. The values of Form Factor (R_f) for B-I and B-IV sub-watersheds are 0.18 and 0.10, respectively; whereas for sub-watersheds B-II and B-III, the R_f values are 0.40 and 0.42, respectively. Thus, it has been observed that sub-watersheds B-I and B-IV are elongated in shape whereas B-II and B-III sub-watersheds are almost circular in shape.