QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DRAINAGE AND MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARUNAVATI RIVER BASIN, USING GEOSPATIAL APPROACH

Abstract

This study deals that morphometric evaluation is feasible method of characterization of hydrological response behavior of the any river basin. In this study, Arunavati basin a tributary of the Tapi river has been selected for the detailed morphometric evaluation. The Arunavati basin is approximate 778 km2 and shows sub-dendritic to dendritic drainage pattern. The measurement and analysis for Arunavati basin and its five major sub-watershed are carried on GIS platform to describe the topography and drainage characteristics.Morphometry may be defined as the measurement and mathematical analysisof the configuration of the earth’s surface, shape and dimensions of its landform.Morphometry has been used primarily to facilitate description of specific relieffeature-erosion surface, slopes, valley and that of the character of relief as-a-whole(Clarke 1970). The valley formation is essentially a function of the concentrated flowof water which occupies only a small portion of the larger trough. The valley formsare directly or indirectly controlled by various activities of stream at the base oftrough. The stream lowering its bed forms base level for valley varies according to thework of erosion carried out by the stream.