A GIS-based assessment in drainage morphometry of WRJ-1 watershed in hard rock terrain of Narkhed Taluka, Maharashtra, Central India

Abstract

Abstract Study area consists of catchments of Wardha river tributaries like Madar River, Jam River and a Wainganga river tributary viz. Chandrabhaga River as the principal drainage area. It extends between N 21°15′ to 21°32′ latitude and E 78°23′ to 78°39’ longitude covering an area of about 252.25 sq. km administratively covering Narkhed taluka of Nagpur district. The NW part mainly of Deccan traps consist of slightly-moderately dissected plateaus. The southern section of Narkhed taluka is composed of gravelly sandy to sandy loam soil while the Gondwana sandstones mostly appear in east of the study region. The study aims at assessment of drainage morphometry of WRJ-1 watershed. Permeability within subsoil of watershed is high with a distinct lesser discharge rate. The watershed was divided into nine sub-watersheds viz. W-1, W-2, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, C-1, J-1, and J-2. The sub-watersheds were subjected to morphometric analysis and corresponding linear, areal, relief parameters along with some geomorphic indices of neo-tectonics were computed whose resultants could be treated in GIS environment with landuse/landcover, geology, soil data to locate areas under immediate effect of resource conservation measures for sustainable development and management of natural resources to formulate conservation ideas. Additionally, this study will also help to calculate volume of rivers, tributaries in WRJ-1 thereby forecasting changes in the sediment transport.