HydroResearch (Jan 2020)
Is the topography playing a dual role in controlling downstream channel morphology of a monsoon dominated Dwarkeswar River, Eastern India?
Abstract
This study focuses on the role of topography in downstream changes in channel morphology of a monsoon dominated Dwarkeswar River with sixty cross-sections. Bankfull channel characteristics, flow characteristics, sediment characteristics and channel pattern were analysed with respect to dissected plateau, plateau-fringe and alluvial plain using statistical analysis. There was a significantly positive relation with distance from source and width (r = 0.874), width/depth ratio (r = 0.607) and flow area (r = 0.926) in the dissected plateau, although a significantly negative relation was found in the alluvial plain (width (r = −0.963), width/depth ratio (r = −0.897), and flow area (r = −0.821)). Overall, the channel dimensions diminished in the alluvial area by 6–7 times. In both these cases, TSI values were higher than the HSI. In the PCA-1, topographic factors were more dominant and the role of drainage area, elevation, slope, basin shape and depth of sediment were opposite to each other in comparison with dissected plateau and alluvial plain.
