Determination of morphological parameters of Tidi watershed using remote sensing and geographic information system approaches

Abstract In the current study, an attempt was made to determine the morphological parameters of the Tidi watershed in Udaipur district of Rajasthan, India. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technique has proved to be an efficient tool in drainage network delineation and update in morphological analysis. For detailed study, ASTER DEM was used for delineation of the watershed boundary, and GIS was used in evaluation of basic, linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. The Tidi watershed occupies an area of 114.36 km2 with a dendritic drainage pattern. The study area is designated as fifth order basin and lower and middle order streams mostly dominate the basin with the drainage density value of 1.74 km/km2 which exhibits gentle to moderate slope terrain and medium dense vegetation. The mean bifurcation value of the watershed is 3.88 and the value varies from 2 to 4.14 which shows that the drainage network formed on homogeneous rocks when the influences of geologic structures on the stream network were negligible. An elongation ratio of 0.79 implies that the watershed is less elongated in shape. The results from the morphometric analysis of the watershed are very beneficial for developing and designing conservation structures of soil and water and watershed management measures.