Application of GIS techniques to understand the geomorphometric characteristics of a tropical watershed in South India

Abstract

Identifying and protecting natural resources is a meaningful way forward for achieving sustainable development. Since water is a precious natural resource that is being depleted faster than it is recharged, there is an urgent need to evaluate and monitor this resource. Watershed-based studies are gaining momentum, while studying about the natural resources. The purpose of this study is to analyze the morphometric characteristics of a watershed. Numerous morphometric parameters have been devised by various scholars to measure the drainage basin characteristics quantitatively. The methodology of this study is to make use of remote sensing and GIS techniques to analyze the drainage morphometry of Vannathangarai watershed in Tamil Nadu, India. The study has identified that the watershed has a low runoff and slow infiltration, thus pointing toward a probability of flooding. The study also revealed that the basin is well drained, basin where the surface is lowered by erosion.

Keywords

• basin geometry
• linear/aerial/ relief aspects
• srtm dem
• geo-spatial techniques
• vannathangarai watershed