Morphometric Characterization and Hydrological Interpretation of the Shastri Watershed Using Geospatial Techniques

Abstract

Geomorphological characteristics of a watershed play a critical role in controlling drainage patterns, runoff behavior, erosion processes and groundwater potential. Hence, quantitative geomorphometric analysis is essential to understand the relationship between terrain features and hydrological responses. The present study evaluates the geomorphometric attributes of the Shastri watershed and their hydrological implications using geospatial techniques. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were employed to derive morphometric parameters from 30 m resolution CARTOSAT-DEM and Survey of India (SOI) topographic maps for watershed delineation and drainage extraction. The computed linear, areal, and relief parameters indicate an elongated watershed geometry, as evidenced by low values of form factor, elongation ratio, and circularity ratio. High watershed relief, along with moderate relief ratio and ruggedness number, suggests significant terrain variability, which enhances runoff velocity and increases erosion susceptibility. The asymmetry factor further indicates uneven slope development, affecting spatial runoff distribution. Overall, the watershed demonstrates moderate to high runoff potential, particularly during intense rainfall events. The study confirms the effectiveness of RS-GIS techniques in generating reliable morphometric insights and highlights their importance in watershed management and sustainable planning.