Morphometric analysis of Sonar sub-basin using SRTM data and geographical information system (GIS)

The study focused mainly on the geometry, more emphasis on the morphometric characteristics of the drainage basin. An attempt has been made to study drainage morphometry and its influence on hydrology of Sonar Sub-basin, M.P. India. For detailed study we used Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data for preparing Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and slope maps, Geographical Information System (GIS) was used in evaluation of linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. A total number of 196 streams were identified of which 146 are 1st order streams, 38 are 2nd order, 9 are 3rd order, 2 in 4th order and 1 is indicating 5th order stream. Drainage patterns of stream network from the basin have been observed as mainly dendritic type which indicates the homogeneity in texture and lack of structural control. The mean bifurcation ratio value is 3.65 for the study area falls within the standard range and shows that the basin conforms to the characteristics of a natural stream which indicates that the geological structures are less disturbing to the drainage pattern. The drainage density of the study area is 0.62 km/sq. km. This value indicates that for every square kilometer of the basin. This makes the study area fall into the group of low density basins which suggest that the low drainage density indicates that the basin is highly permeable subsoil and thick vegetative cover. These studies are very useful for planning rainwater harvesting and watershed management.   Key words: Morphometric analysis, shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) data, geographical information system (GIS), Sonar sub-basin.