Morphometric analysis of raikheda watershed, parbhani district, Maharashtra using geospatial techniques

The morphometric analysis of any watershed provides an account about the topography of the area, geological conditions and runoff potential of the watershed. Morphometric analysis is the measurement of a three-dimensional geometry of the landforms and has traditionally been applied to watershed, drainages, hill slopes and other group of terrain features. The morphometric characteristics of a watershed represent its attributes and can be helpful in synthesizing its hydrological behaviour. Remote Sensing and GIS technique is a powerful tool for morphometric analysis. It provides efficient tool in drainage delineation and updating. It is effective in overcoming most of the problems of land and water resources planning and management on the account of usage of conventional methods of data process. Morphometric analysis of a watershed is an essential first step, towards basic understanding of watershed dynamics. Any hydrological investigation, such as determining the potential and management of groundwater, must consider the drainage basin analysis. The physiographic properties of drainage basins, such as stream length and size, drainage density, area and slope of the drainage area, and the shape and size of the drainage area, can be connected with a number important hydrologic phenomenon. Considering this, the present study, ‘Morphometric Analysis of Raikheda Watershed, Parbhani District, Maharashtra using Geospatial Techniques’ was conducted during the year 2024-25. The morphometric characteristics of the Raikheda watershed were determined using ArcGIS software and SRTM DEM downloaded from USGS. Raikheda watershed covers an area about 6 km2, with basin length 4.12m and perimeter 12m. The total length of stream in the watershed was 7110 m. The length of first, second and third order streams were 2813m, 4165m, and 132m respectively. The overall, mean stream length for the watershed was 824m. The value of the mean of the all bifurcation ratio( Rb ) was 5.57. The value of drainage density (Dd) 1.185km/km2 indicate coarse pattern of drainage network. The drainage texture value was 3.08. The value of the stream frequency (Fs) was determined as 6.17 which is indicate permeable sub-surface material and moderate to low relief. The value of the form factor (Ff) was determined as 0.35 which indicated elongated shape of watershed. The value of elongation ratio (Re) was 0.67 which also, indicated the elongated shape of watershed. elongated in shape. The value of circulatory ratio for the watershed was found as 0.52. Average constant of channel maintenance(C) was 0.843 for the watershed. The value of basin relief (R) 71m indicated moderate relief, higher infiltration and low runoff potential of the watershed. The value of relief ratio was 0.0172. In the Raikheda watershed the value of ruggedness numbe r(Rn) was 0.0841, indicating slightly rugged area with moderate relief and medium degree of soil erosion. The Raikheda watershed has low degree of slope with higher infiltration rate.The study helped to understand the basin hydrology, ground water potential, identification of sites for soil and water conservation works, and for overall natural resource management.