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Morphometric Analysis to Deduce Hydrological Insight Using Geospatial Techniques: A Study on Thutapuzha Sub-Basin, Western Ghats, India

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Modern River Science for Watershed Management

Part of the book series: Water Science and Technology Library ((WSTL,volume 128))

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Abstract

The current research emphasizes the advantages of employing geospatial techniques to deduce hydrological insights for the management of the water resource in the Thutapuzha sub-basin (TSB), a major tributary of the Bharathapuzha, the major river in Kerala, India. For this study, ASTER DEM is utilized within the ArcGIS software to extract essential morphometric parameters specific to the Thutapuzha sub-basin (TSB). Morphometric parameters serve as crucial and systematic tools for evaluating water resources within a river basin. Morphometric parameters coming under linear aspects, areal aspects, and relief aspects are computed for the TSB, and their hydrological implications are thoroughly examined. The dataset generated from morphometric parameters suggests that the basin exhibits promising potential for water resource management and offers scientific insights for flood management initiatives within the basin. The TSB, as a sixth-order basin with dendritic and sub-dendritic patterns, features a significant number of high-order streams, indicative of significant discharge of water, and a low flow rate, highlighting that the basin is susceptible to flood hazards. Furthermore, the areal morphometric characteristics of TSB also point to substantial water discharge and peak flow occurring within a relatively short time frame. This study demonstrates that SRTM-DEM-based hydrological assessments at the sub-basin level prove to be more practical and accurate when compared to alternative techniques. The resulting database provides valuable scientific information for the management of water resources.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Calicut University for providing facilities to carry out the work. Authors thanks Director, National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, for providing the facilities for doing this research with the guidance and support of the faculty members Dr. D. Padmalal (Scientist G and Group Head), Hydrological Processes, Dr. Arulbalaji (Research Associate), Mr. Vipin T Raj, and Ms. Gayathri J A, Research fellows for rendering immense support for data analysis. The authors thank the Geological Survey of India, Indian Meteorological Department, National Remote Sensing Centre, National Bureau of Soil, and Central Ground Water Board for the required data that is utilized for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of PG Studies & Research in Geology, MES Ponnani College (Calicut University), South Ponnani P.O, Malappuram, Kerala, 679586, India

    Shabna Sherin & K. S. Arunkumar

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  1. Shabna Sherin
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  2. K. S. Arunkumar
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Correspondence to K. S. Arunkumar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Satheeshkumar

  2. Department of Geology, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

    V. Thirukumaran

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Hindusthan College of engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    D. Karunanidhi

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Sherin, S., Arunkumar, K.S. (2024). Morphometric Analysis to Deduce Hydrological Insight Using Geospatial Techniques: A Study on Thutapuzha Sub-Basin, Western Ghats, India. In: Satheeshkumar, S., Thirukumaran, V., Karunanidhi, D. (eds) Modern River Science for Watershed Management. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 128. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54704-1_9

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