Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A GIS-based morphometric prioritization of watersheds for soil erosion planning: a case study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Morphometric analysis is essential for determining soil erosion-prone areas in drainage basins. In the present study, identification and prioritization of 19 watersheds in the Upper Bhima basin was done using areal, shape, and landscape parameters of watersheds. Some uncertainty was observed with morphometric variables of watersheds in previous prioritization methods. A geographic information system was used to identify critical sub-watersheds in the study area. A newly developed weighted sum approach technique was used to rank each sub-watershed based on weightages derived from morphometric parameters. The 19 watersheds were classified into five categories based on their final priority ranking: very high, high, medium, low, and very low. According to the findings of this analysis, 30.00% of the total area was highly vulnerable with sub-watersheds (4D7H4, 4D7H5, 4D7H7, 4D7G4, 4D7G7) require immediate attention to provide soil and water conservation measures. This study proposed morphometric analysis with a geographic information system and the novel weighted sum approach technique to help decision-makers make technically and economically effective decisions for proper water resource planning and management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

The data and material used in the study are from public domain.

Abbreviations

A :

Area

AISLUS:

All India Soil and Land Use Survey

C c :

Compactness coefficient

C cm :

Constant of channel maintenance

CF:

Compound factor

D d :

Drainage density

DEM:

Digital elevation model

FPR:

Final priority ranking

F f :

Form factor

F s :

Stream frequency

G :

Slope

GIS:

Geographic information system

H max :

Maximum height

H mean :

Mean height

H min :

Minimum height

HI:

Hypsometric integral

km2 :

Kilometer square

L b :

Basin length

Lof :

Length of overland flow

LULC:

Land use land cover

L s :

Stream length

Mha:

Million hectare

MUSLE:

Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation

N :

Stream order

NIH:

National Institute of Hydrology

N s :

Number of streams

P :

Perimeter

PR:

Priority ranking

R :

Basin relief

R b :

Bifurcation ratio

R bm :

Mean bifurcation ratio

R c :

Circulatory ratio

R e :

Elongation ratio

R G :

Ruggedness index

R N :

Ruggedness number

R pk :

Relief peakedness

R r :

Relief ratio

R rf :

Relative relief

RS:

Remote sensing

R t :

Texture ratio

RUSLE:

Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation

SYI:

Sediment yield index

TIFF:

Tagged Image File Format

USLE:

Universal Soil Loss Equation

UTM:

Universal Transverse Mercator

WGS:

Word Geographic System

WSA:

Weighted sum approach

References

  • Agarwal R, Garg RD, Garg PK (2011) Morphometric analysis and prioritization of sub-watersheds in the Loni watersheds, Uttar Pradesh using spatial information technology. J Indian Water Resour Soc 31:19–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Aher PD, Adinarayana J, Gorantiwar SD (2014) Quantification of morphometric characterization and prioritization for management planning in semi-arid tropics of India: a remote sensing and GIS approach. J Hydrol 511:850–860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.02.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • All India Soil and Land Use Survey (AISLUS) (1991) Methodology of priority delineation survey.

  • Arabameri A, Tiefenbacher JP, Blaschke T, Pradhan B, Tien BD (2020) Morphometric analysis for soil erosion susceptibility mapping using novel gis-based ensemble model. Remote Sensing 12(5):874. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12050874

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balasubramanian A, Duraisamy K, Thirumalaisamy S, Krishnaraj S, Yatheendradasan RK (2017) Prioritization of subwatersheds based on quantitative morphometric analysis in lower bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu, India using DEM and GIS techniques. Arab J Geosci 10(24):552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3312-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bali YP, Karale RL (1977) A sediment yield index as a criteria for choosing priority basins. IAHS-AISH Publication, pp 122–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Benzougagh B, Meshram SG, Dridri A, Boudad A, Baamar B, Sadkaoui D, Khedher KM (2021) Identification of critical watershed at risk of soil erosion using morphometric and geographic information system analysis. Appl Water Sci 12:8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01532-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya RK, Chatterjee ND, Das K (2020) Sub-basin prioritization for assessment of soil erosion susceptibility in Kangsabati, a plateau basin A comparison between MCDM and SWAT models. Sci Total Environ 734:139474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139747

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Central Water Commission (CWC) (2012) Watershed and Reservoir Sedimentation Directorate. Capacity assessment of Bhima (Ujjani) reservoir

  • Central Water Commission (CWC) (2015) Compendium of silting of reservoirs in India

  • Central Water Power Research Station (2010) Optimization of stream gauge and raingauge network for Upper Bhima Basin

  • Citlalli CA, Armando LS, Jose MZV (2021) Mapping risk zones of potential erosions in the upper Nazas River basin, Mexico through spatial autocorrelation techniques. Environ Earth Sci 80:653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09956-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gajbhiye S, Mishra SK, Pandey A (2014) Prioritizing erosion-prone area through morphometric analysis. An RS and GIS perspective. Appl Water Sci 4(1):51–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-013-0129-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganasri BP, Ramesh H (2016) Assessment of soil erosion by RUSLE model using remote sensing and GIS-A case study of Nethravathi Basin. Geosci Front 7(6):953–961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2015.10.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hembram TK, Shah S (2018) Prioritization of sub watersheds for soil erosion based on morphometric attributes using fuzzy AHP and compound factor in Jainti River basin, Jharkhand, Eastern India. Environ Dev Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1016/s10668-018-0247-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton RE (1932) Drainage-basin characteristics. Trans Am Geophys Union 13:350–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton RE (1945) Erosional development of streams and their drainage basins; hydrophysical approach to quantitative morphology. Geol Soc Am Bull 56:275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javarayigowda NH, Basavaraju GKS, Jayaram SH (2018) Morphometric analysis of Karadya micro watershed: a case study of Mandya district. Am J Remote Sens 6(1):15–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javed A, Khanday MY, Ahmed R (2009) Prioritization of sub watersheds based on morphometric and land use analysis using remote sensing and GIS techniques. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 37:261–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadam AK, Jaweed TH, Kale SS, Umrikar BN, Sankhua RN (2019) Identification of erosion-prone areas using modified morphometric prioritization method and sediment production rate: a remote sensing and GIS approach. Geomat Nat Haz Risk 10(1):986–1006. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2018.1555189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kandpal H, Kumar A, Reddy CP, Malik A (2017) Watershed prioritization based on morphometric parameters using remote sensing and geographical information system. Indian J Ecol 44(3):433–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar D, Dhaloiya A, Nain AS, Sharma MP, Singh A (2021) Prioritization of watershed using remote sensing and geographic information system. Sustainability 13(16):9456. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik A, Kumar A, Kandpal H (2019) Morphometric analysis and prioritization of sub-watersheds in a hilly watershed using weighted sum approach. Arab J Geosci 12(4):118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4310-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melton MA (1957) An analysis of the relations among elements of climate, surface properties, and geomorphology. DTIC Document

  • Meshram SG, Sepheri M, Meshram C, Moatamed A, Benzougagh B, Parvizi S, Bazrafshan E, Rahimi Y (2022) Prioritization of watersheds based on a picture fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and linear assignment model. Stoch Env Res Risk Assess. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-022-02280-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller VC (1953) A Quantitative geomorphic study of drainage basin characteristics in the Clinch Mountain area Virginia and Tennessee. J Geol 65(1):112–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Nanda AM, Hamid A, Hassan Z, Ahmed P, Kanth TA (2015) Watershed prioritization using sediment yield index model for Vishav watershed of Jammu and Kashmir state (India). J Himalayan Ecol Sustain Dev 10:87–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Naqvi HR, Athick AMA, Ganaie HA, Siddiqui MA (2015) Soil erosion planning using sediment yield index method in the Nun Nadi watershed, India. Int Soil Water Conserv Res 3(2):86–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2015.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) (2000) Watershed prioritization of Ukai dam catchment using Remote sensing and GIS National Remote Sensing Centre, India, Bhuvan Web Portal. http://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in

  • Negash DA, Moisa MB, Merga BB, Sedeta F, Gemeda DO (2021) Soil erosion risk assessment for prioritization of sub-watershed: the case of Chogo watershed, Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia. Environ Earth Sci 80:589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09901-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawar AD, Sarup J, Mittal SK (2014) Application of GIS and RS for morphometric analysis of upper Bhima basin: a case study. J Inst Eng (india) 95(4):249–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-014-0097-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahamati O, Samadi M, Sahabi H, Azareh A, Sardooi ER, Alilou H, Melesse AM, Pradhan B, Chapi K, Shirzadi A (2019) SWPT: an automated GIS based tool for prioritization of sub watersheds based on morphometric and topo hydrological factors. Geosci Front. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2019.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ratnam KN, Srivastava YK, Rao VV, Amminedu E, Murthy KSR (2005) Check dam position of micro watersheds using SYI model and morphometric analysis-remote sensing and GIS perspective. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 33(1):26–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Renard KG, Foster GR, Weesies GA, Porter JP (1991) RUSLE: revised universal soil loss equation. J Soil Water Conserv 46(1):30–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Said E (2021) GIS-based land susceptibility assessment for check dam site location, using topography and drainage information: a case study from Morocco. Environ Earth Sci 80:567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09881-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumm SA (1956) Evolution of drainage systems and slopes in badlands at Perth Amboy. New Jersey. Geol Soc Am Bull 67:597–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh WR, Barman S, Tirkey G (2021) Morphometric analysis and watershed prioritization in relation to soil erosion in Dudhnai watershed. Appl Water Sci 11(9):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01483-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith K (1950) Standards for grading textures of erosional topography. Am J Sci 248:655–668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952) Hypsometric (area-altitude) analysis of erosional topography. Geol Soc Am Bull 63:1117–1142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1957) Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. Trans Am Geophys Union 38(6):913–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1964) Quantitative geomorphology of drainage basins and channel networks. In: Chow VT (ed) Handbook of applied hydrology. Sect ion 4–11. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Subyani AM, Qari MH, Matsah MI (2012) Digital elevation model and multivariate statistical analysis of morphometric parameters of some wadis, western Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 5(1):147–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0149-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagh S, Manekar V (2021) Assessment of reservoir sedimentation using satellite remote sensing technique (SRS). J Inst Eng (india) 102(3):851–860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-021-00539-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagh S, Manekar V (2022) Soil erosion planning for reservoir watershed using sediment yield index method. J Inst Eng (india). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-022-00679-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JR (1975) Sediment routing for agricultural watersheds. JAWRA J Am Water Resour Assoc 11(5):965–974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wischmeier WH, Smith DD (1965) Predicting rainfall-erosion losses from cropland east of the Rocky Mountains: guide for selection of practices for soil and water conservation No. 282. Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Civil Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, India for providing computer and internet facility for carrying out this study.

Funding

This study received no external funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SVNIT, Surat, 395007, Gujrat, India

    Santosh Wagh

  2. Civil Engineering Department, SVNIT, Surat, 395007, Gujrat, India

    Vivek Manekar

Authors
  1. Santosh Wagh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vivek Manekar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SW was involved in the literature review, methodology, data analysis, results and discussion section. VM supervised this study and involved in writing this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Santosh Wagh.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wagh, S., Manekar, V. A GIS-based morphometric prioritization of watersheds for soil erosion planning: a case study. Environ Earth Sci 82, 443 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11155-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11155-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation