Page 1 of 13

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 245

Morphometric Analysis of a Sub-Watershed of Lower Alaknanda Basin

(Garhwal Himalaya) Using GIS Techniques

Mohd. Akram*, Surajit Dutta* and D.D. Chauniyal**

Deptt. of Geography, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal,

Uttarakhand, India.

Corresponding Author: Mohd. Akram

* = Ph.D. Research Scholar.

** = Professor.

Abstract

In morphometry, the configuration of the earth’s surface, shape and dimensions of its

landforms are measured and mathematically analysed (Clarke, 1996). At present, Geographical

information system (GIS) is an efficient tool in delineation of drainage pattern and in analyzing

morphology and properties of watershed. The present study deals mainly with the

geomorphometrical aspects of the watershed – Linear, Relief and Areal aspects. The GIS-based

morphometric analysis of the study watershed revealed that the Study watershed is 5th order

drainage basin and drainage pattern mainly is sub-dendritic to dendritic type. The present paper

describes the drainage attributes of Chandrabhaga Gad, a sub-watershed in Lower Alaknanda

Basin, Garhwal Himalaya. Total number of streams is 249, out of which 198 are first-order, 40

are second-order, 8 are third-order, 2 are fourth-order and 1 is fifth-order stream. The length of

the first order stream segments is maximum, which decreases as the stream order increases. The

mean drainage density (Dd) of study area is 0.90 ±0.29 km/km2

. Mean drainage frequency (Fs) is

3.05 ±0.89.

Keywords: GIS, Lower Alaknanda Basin, Morphometry, Sub-watershed.

Introduction

Clarke (1966) defined morphometry as the measurement and mathematical analysis of

the configuration of the earth surface, dimensions and shapes of its landforms. The

morphometric analysis is carried out via measurement of linear, relief and areal aspects of the

basin and slope contribution (Nag and Chakraborty, 2003).

Page 2 of 13

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 246

Remote Sensing and GIS techniques are the tested efficient tools in delineating, updating

and morphometric analysis (Rastogi et al., 1976) and Land-use planning of drainage basin

(Barman et al. (NESAC)). For hydrological investigation such as assessment of groundwater

potential and groundwater management, the drainage basin analysis is important. Various

important hydrologic phenomena can be correlated with the physiographic attributes of drainage

basins such as size, shape, slope, drainage density, length and size of the feeders etc. (Rastogi et

al., 1976). Remote sensing data can be utilised along with conventional data for delineation of

ridgelines, problem-identification, attributes, priority evaluation, assessment of potentials and

management needs, identification of erosion prone areas, evolving water conservation strategies,

and sites-selection for check dams and reservoirs etc. (Dutta et al., 2002). The study will be

useful to comprehend hydrological behaviour of basin and management of water resource.

A host of scholars and scientists have used Remote Sensing and GIS to analyse

morphometry of drainage basins. Shrimali et al. (2001) carried out a case study, in the Sivalik

Hills, of Sukhna lake catchment (total area- 42 km2

), for delineation and prioritization of soil

erosion areas by R.S. & G.I.S. techniques. Nag et al., (2003) studied hard rock area to ascertain

the development of drainage network under the influence of rock types and structures. Rao et al.,

(2009) made efforts to understand the prevailing geo-hydrological attributes of the drainage

basins through the dynamic equilibrium, attained via interaction between energy and matter.

Mishra et al. (2010) conducted a study on the basis of compound parameter value in Odisha,

where due to frequent droughts coupled with enhanced ground water exploitation resulted in

decline in groundwater level. Somashekar et al. (2011) carried out quantitative morphometric

analysis for Hesaraghatta watershed, Banglore. G.Tamma Rao,V.V.S. and Gurunadha Rao.

(2012) used RS & GIS to update drainage and surface water bodies and to assess relief, linear

and aerial morphometric parameters of the two sub-watersheds in West Godavari district, A.P..

Ramu, B.Mahalingam and P.Jayashree, (2013) conducted a morphometric analysis of

Tungabhadra drainage basin based on the SRTM data. Kulkarni et al. (2014) analysed

gemorphologically a tank catchment using G.I.S.. M.L. Waikar and Ajay Chavadekar., (2014)

accomplished investigations on spatial and temporal land use/land cover (LULC) changes at

regional scales in Chandpur reservoir area in Maharashtra.

Study Area:

The present study watershed Chandrabhaga Gad is a 5

th order right bank tributary of

Alaknanada river of Tehri district in Garhwal Himalaya. The sub-watershed is geographically

bounded between 30013′09′′-30°18′26′′ N Latitudes and 78036′23′′-78041′03′′ E Longitudes

between the height of 500m and 2260m. The total area of the watershed is 46.65 km2

. The

Chnadrabhaga Gad rises from the Chandrabadani peak (2260 m) and flows from north to south

Page 3 of 13

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 247

direction. Total length of all 249 drainage segments is 168.04 km. It joins Alaknanda River at

Bagwan village (500m) (Fig. 1).

Geology:

The rocks found in the study area are belonging to Pre-Cambrian to Eocene periods. Due

to the internal tectonic movements the rocks are deformed in multi times, therefore, they are

found in different grades. Structural features like folds, faults, fractures, cracks, joints etc., are

developed over the rocks in the study area. Regionally, North Almora Thrust (NAT) is the main

tectonic unit which passes through NW to SE direction ~3 km north from the study watershed.

The study watershed just falls in the southern zone of NAT.

NAT separates the Garhwal group of rocks in the north from Chandpur group of rocks in

the south. Garhwal group of rocks consist of Sandra, Deoban (upper, middle and lower) and

Damta formation. Chandpur group of rocks are consisted of ferruginous quartzite in the upper

section, dolomite lime stone in the middle section and chloride schist, phylite and slate in the

lower section. This sequence is characterized by extensive occurrence of meta-basic rock (sill,

dyke as lava flow).

Damta group of rocks are found parallel to the NAT in the southern margin equivalent to

Shimla formation. These rocks are highly fractured and weathered. Some time in some places

these became arrenecious type.

Chandpur Formation:

Chandpur formation of rocks is predominantly found in the study watershed.

Lithologically, the area is dominated by low grade upper proterozoic phyllite which merge with

flaggy quartzite towards north (Sati et al, 2007). Basically, Chandpur formation of rocks is

classified into three types i.e. arenacious, carbonacious and micacious which are well exposed in

the study area.

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