International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Gara Raja Rao, Sangaraju Siddi Raju, K. Satyanarayananaidu, Kambam Swetha, Yenda Padmini, Akkupalli Surekha, Mallula Srinivasa Rao
Abstract: Morphometric analysis is a crucial part of the complete evaluation of Morphometric analysis are significant processes in hydrology, landform evolution and environmental processes at drainage basin scale. The morphometric parameter of stream, area and relief aspects obtained through the integrated remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques will helping to understand the hydrological behaviour, erosional vulnerability and groundwater recharge potential of a u-shaped Vandaman Eru Watershed (508.98 km2). This watershed is semi-arid, and we can observe a branching drainage pattern that relates to lithological homogeneity with little tectonic distortion. This study revealed the significant spatial variability in drainage density throughout the watershed. The watershed-integrated drainage density is calculated on the basis of total stream length (1,855.85 km) compared with total basin area (508.98 km2) computes at 3.65 km/km2 which indicates fine dissection and a high surface runoff generation capacity that is characteristically found in higher-altitude, peripheral terrain. Drainage density in the context of geomorphic region is 0.23 to 0.69 km/km2 for allu-vial plains landform with lowest dissection and high infiltration potential at sub-basin level compared to other geomorphic units. This dichotomy of low sub-basin drainage densities versus high basin-scale drainage density is indicative of the criti-cal spatial heterogeneity of the watershed, one which will be explicitly differentiated throughout this manuscript. Important key linear, areal and relief morphometric parameters extracted for understanding channel development mechanism, basin geometrics, runoff potential and erosion susceptibility. The results demonstrated a strong inverse exponential correlation (R2 = 0.81) between the drainage density and infiltration rate within zones defined spatially. Establishing the hydrological segregation controlled by spatial variability in drainage density across the watershed via a holistic morphometric analysis and identifying valley fills and pediplain zones as regional-focused target sites for artificial groundwater recharge.
