Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds of Brahmani and Baitarni Basins Using Remote Sensing and GIS, Keonjhar and Sundargarh Districts, Odisha, India

In this study, morphometric analysis and prioritization of 12 sub-watersheds of Brahmani and Baitarni Basins, which are located in Keonjhar and Sundargarh Districts of Odisha State, India is carried out using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. The morphometric parameters considered for analysis are stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, texture ratio, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, relief ratio, length of overland flow and basin shape. A total number of 1654 streams were identified of which 1223 are first order streams, 320 are 2^nd order, 77 are 3^rd order, 20 are 4^th order, 6 are 5^th order, 4 are 6^th order and 4 are of 7^th order. The streams up to seventh order can be seen in BAISWD6, BAISWD7, BAISWD8, and BAISWD11. Drainage patterns of stream network from the basin have been observed as mainly dendritic type which indicates the homogeneity in texture and lack of structural control. The drainage pattern is dendritic and the highest order stream is of 7^th order. The bifurcation ratio (Rbm) varies from 2.99 to 5.91 and all sub-watersheds fall under normal basin category. The drainage density (Dd) of the study area is varying between 2.05 and 2.89 km/km² indicating low density with highly permeable subsoil, thick vegetation cover, low relief and course drainage texture. Elongation ratio of all the watersheds varies between 0.65 to 0.70 respectively and indicating that it is elongated. Circulatory Ratio (Rc) ranges from 0.38 to 0.68 indicating that all the sub-watersheds except BAISWD6 are more or less circular and are characterized by high to moderate relief and drainage system is structurally controlled. The sub-watershed BAISWD6 having the Rc value of 0.38 indicating that it is elongated. The relief ratio of all sub-watersheds varies between the values of 23.56 to 47.59m, which indicates that the basin has strong relief and steep slope. The compound parameter values of 12 sub-watersheds of study area were calculated and prioritization rating was carried out. Sub-watershed BAISWD9 with a compound parameter value of 5.6 receives the highest priority indicates the greater degree of erosion in the particular sub-watershed and it becomes potential area for applying soil conservative measure.