Morphometric Analysis of Ranganadi Watershed in Lakhimpur District of Assam, India, using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Author: Tilak Prasad Panika, Dilip Kumar Patgiri, Prem Kumar Bharteey, Rituparna Saikia and Dipankar Sonowal

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Abstract

The present study makes an attempt to analyse the morphometric characteristics of the Ranganadi watershed in the Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. Such morphometric study helpsin understanding the proper utilization of natural resources of the watershed. The Ranganadi watershed, confining 12174 ha geographical area, is located between 93o5906.18' E to 94°0508.55E longitude and 27°1036.40N to 27°2033.68N latitude. Using Geocoded FCC of Resourcesat-1 LISS-III data of 2015, three distinct physiographic units of the watershed were demarcated which consists of Piedmont plain (4192 ha), Alluvial plain (4808 ha), and Flood plain (3174 ha). The stream order map of the Ranganadi River Basin was made by on-screen digitization using TNTMips software. Morphometric properties of the studied catchment area were assessed through the measurement of linear, areal, and relief features. The drainage streams of the studied area were delineated up to Third order with stream numbers of 34, 17 and 6corresponding to I, II, and III orders, respectively. The calculated value of areal aspects like elongation ratio, circulatory ratio, form factor ratio and shape factor depicted that the Ranganadi watershed was elongated in shape. The studied relief features included parameters like basin relief, relief ratio, ruggedness number, and relative relief indicating that the basin is of lower relief, higher infiltration, lower runoff and less prone to erosion. The study of morphometric properties of the Ranganadi watershed highlights the permeable nature of the soil. This permeability property suggests that the majority of the precipitation would infiltrate the soil and, as a result, a lower quantity would contribute to the runoff. The current study also showed that the investigation of the linear and aerial morphometric features of drainage basins can be greatly aided by the use of geographic information system software.

Keywords

GIS, Morphometric analysis, Remote sensing, Watershed

Conclusion

Remote sensing and GIS were utilised to analyse morphometric parameter of the Ranganadi watershed in Assam’s Lakhimpur District, India. Hydrological behaviour and landforms are linked by computing the watershed’s linear, areal and relief characteristics, which aids water management. According to morphometric research, the watershed has a third order drainage streams with 129.72 km in length. The watershed exhibits less structural disturbance due to the reduced bifurcation ratio and dendritic drainage pattern. High form factor, elongation ratio and circulatory ratio values suggested the watershed to be elongated in shape. Flooding and gully erosion are likely due to the poor drainage density. Watershed erosion priority may benefit from the analysis findings. The drainage morphology must be examined to locate and choose water storage facilities like percolation tanks, ponds, check dams etc. For micro-level natural resource management, this study will help planners and decision makers. Remote sensing and GIS are also more efficient and useful than traditional techniques for identifying drainage basins and updating drainage streams for stream morphometry analysis.

References

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How to cite this article

Tilak Prasad Panika, Dilip Kumar Patgiri, Prem Kumar Bharteey, Rituparna Saikia and Dipankar Sonowal (2023). Morphometric Analysis of Ranganadi Watershed in Lakhimpur District of Assam, India, using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 48-56.