Analysis of geo-morphometric and topo-hydrological indices using COP-DEM: a case study of Betwa River Basin, Central India

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe open source 30 m Copernicus DEM (COP-DEM) has been used to derive the geo-morphometric and topo-hydrological characteristics of Betwa River Basin. Drainage network with 7th order stream and mostly dendritic pattern has been delineated using the Strahler’s method. The drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, length of overland flow and circulatory ratio of the basin were computed as 0.38 Km/Km2, 0.08 Km−2, 0.23, 1.31, and 0.20, respectively. These outcomes suggest less available surface flow, lesser relative relief, poor drainage network, and nearly elongated shape of the basin. The mean bifurcation ratio for entire basin was calculated as 4.0 that signifies gradient dependent drainage network of the basin. The ruggedness number was computed as 0.24, which reflects the geology dominated (granite–gneiss) rocky and undulated topography of the basin. The dissection index ranges from 0.06 to 0.3, which implies less degree of dissection and mature stage of the basin. The topographic wetness index (TWI), stream power index (SPI), terrain ruggedness index (TRI), and sediment transport index (STI) ranges from 3.13 to 26.35; 0 to 6; 0 to 30; and 0 to 121.4, respectively. It implies that the lower basin is less susceptible towards erosion as compared to upper basin.

Keywords

• Copernicus DEM
• geo-morphometric parameters
• topo-hydrological indices
• Betwa River Basin
• coefficient of line correspondence (CLC)