Quantifying and modeling of stream network using digital elevation models

Abstract

Quantifying and modeling of stream network using DEMs is the primary objective to understand earth surface processes. In the present study, DEMs of different quality, i.e. resolution, are evaluated for stream network quantification and modeling. The results are very encouraging in terms of the shape and geometry of the stream network. They emphasize the strong control of the DEM resolution and thresholding of flow accumulation/drainage area. Further, comparisons of the various morphometric parameters are also quite promising. The study highlights different relationships between various morphometric parameters obtained from the two DEMs used, thereby paving the way for the use of DEMs of different resolutions, interchangeably.

Keywords

• DEM
• SRTM
• ASTER
• Stream network
• Resolution