Morphometric Analysis of Sub- Watersheds in Oguta and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria Using GIS and Remote Sensing Data
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Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics, 2016, Vol. 4, No. 2, 21-28 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/jgg/4/2/1 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/jgg-4-2-1 Morphometric Analysis of Sub- watersheds in Oguta and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria Using GIS and Remote Sensing Data Udoka Ubong Paulinus1,*, Nwankwor Godwin Ifedilichukwu1, Ahiarakwem Cosmas Ahamefula1, Opara Alex Iheanyichukwu1, Emberga Terhemba Theophilus2, Inyang Godwin Edet1 1Department of Geosciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria 2Department of Physics/Industrial Physics, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract Morphometric analysis of the sub- watersheds in Oguta area, Southeastern Nigeria using GIS processed Remote Sensing data was carried out with the objectives of evaluating their morphometric characteristics and other landuse/landcover dynamics. The present study involved the measurement of the linear, aerial and relief aspects of the dimensions of the sub-watersheds. Analysis of the landuse classification revealed that Njaba drainage basin is made up of 37.32% farmland and grassland, 27.51% forest, 20.06% bare land, and 5.28% water, while the Orashi drainage basin comprises of 30.23% farmland, 10.35% urban settlement, 20.14% forest land, 15.13% bare land and 24.14% water body. It was also revealed from the study that Njaba drainage basin has a basin length of 21.48km2 while that of Orashi drainage basin was estimated to be 29.59km2. Similarly, whereas the former has an area of 21.48 km2 the latter has an estimated area of about 29.59km2. Further morphometric analysis revealed that the bifurcation ratio of Njaba and Orashi drainage basins were estimated at 1.80 and 3.92 respectively, while their drainage densities were put at about 0.54 and 0.51 respectively. Finally, the basin relief ratios of the basins were estimated at 0.0038 and 0.00367 respectively while their form factor was given as 0.31 and 0.189 respectively. The form factor values estimated from this study revealed that the Njaba drainage basin is circular while Orashi drainage basin revealed an elongated dimension. These morphometric characteristics are key indices that are invaluable in assessing the geo-hydrological behavior of the drainage basins and their vulnerability to flooding. Keywords: drainage basin, Oguta, basin morphometry, watershed, flood management, GIS Cite This Article: Udoka Ubong Paulinus, Nwankwor Godwin Ifedilichukwu, Ahiarakwem Cosmas Ahamefula, Opara Alex Iheanyichukwu, Emberga Terhemba Theophilus, and Inyang Godwin Edet “Morphometric Analysis of Sub- watersheds in Oguta and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria Using GIS and Remote Sensing Data.” Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics, vol. 4, no. 2 (2016): 21-28. doi: 10.12691/jgg-4-2-1. segments, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, and frequency. It is an attempt to combine the geomorphologic 1. Introduction and hydrological attributes of the drainage basins. Integration of remote sensing and geographic Watershed is an area of land drained by rivers and its information system (GIS) technologies have been utilized tributaries. Its boundary is marked by ridges of high land productively worldwide to detect and monitor changes in beyond which any precipitation will drain into adjacent the landscape and the consequential environmental basins. This boundary is called a drainage divide. impacts like flooding, gully erosion, etc. Previous studies Drainage basin or watershed can also be described as an have used remote sensory and GIS data to examine land open system and is considered a fundamental element in use changes in recent times with the objective of the analysis of a part of the hydrological cycle. It is a identifying patterns of urban development that could be system where inputs from precipitation (rain and snow) associated with specific environmental factors [2]. There undergo the process of infiltration, percolation, through are numerous examples of traditional and expert based flow and overland flow (surface run-off) thereby image classification systems for detection, monitoring and proceeding as output in the form of evapo- transpiration mapping the land use and land cover characteristics (the loss of water directly from the ground, water, surface worldwide using remote sensing data. Remote Sensing and vegetation) [1]. Drainage basins be assessed and and GIS techniques have also proven to be efficient tools characterized by measuring their dimensions with respect in the delineation, characterization and morphometric to their linear, aerial, and relief aspect. This research is an analysis of drainage basins worldwide. Drainage basin attempt to understand the drainage basins by evaluating analysis is also very important in any hydrological their morphometric parameters which includes their basin investigation like assessment of groundwater potential and shape, length, area, stream order, number of stream management. Various environmental hazards associated 22 Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics with hydrologic phenomena are most often correlatable so far no exhaustive work on the morphometric with the physiographic characteristics of drainage basins investigation of the region has been carried out. This study such as size, shape, slope of drainage area, drainage gives an insight into the different geo-hydrological density, and of course length of the tributaries [3]. Remote characteristics of the drainage basin which in turn help in sensing data can be used in conjunction with conventional the management of the water and other natural resources data for delineation of ridgelines, characterization, priority of the area. evaluation, problem identification, assessment of potentials and management needs, identification of erosion prone 2. Location, Physiography, Hydrology areas, evolving water conservation strategies, selection of sites for check dams and reservoirs, Etc. [4]. and Geology of the Study Area Morphometry is the measurement and mathematical The study area of interest in this research is Oguta analysis of the configuration of the earth's surface, shape Local Government Area with a consideration of sub- and dimension of its landforms [5]. Morphometric studies watershed within Oguta Lake/Upper reaches of the in the field of hydrology were first initiated by Horton [6]. Otamiri, and Upper reaches of Otamiri/ Njaba areas. It has The morphometric analysis of the drainage basin and an estimated area of 484.58 km2 and a population of channel network play a vital role for understanding the 142,340 persons. It lies within a perimeter of 36.62692km geo-hydrological behavior of drainage basin and expresses and is located within latitudes 5040129.918N- the prevailing climate, geology, geomorphology, structural, 5041109.200N and longitudes 6049132.06E to 6050102.05E. etc. antecedents of the catchment. The relationship The study area belongs to the coastal sedimentary between various drainage parameters and the aforesaid lowlands of the southern Nigeria hydrological province as factors are well- recognized by many workers [7,8,9,10]. shown in Figure 1. The climate is divided into two main The drainage basin analysis is important in any hydrological seasons: wet and dry season. Most of the area has a mean investigation like assessment of groundwater potential, annual rainfall of about 2152mm [13]. This occurs during groundwater management, pedology and environmental the wet season, April to October, and associated with assessment. Hydrologists and Geomorphologists have moisture laden maritime southwest trade winds from the recognized that certain relations are most important Atlantic Ocean. The temperature in the study area ranges between runoff characteristics, and geographic and between 23° to 26°C.The terrain of the study area is geomorphic characteristics of drainage basin systems. characterized by two types of land forms; gently Various important hydrologic phenomena can be undulating ridges and nearly flat topography. The ridges correlated with the physiographic characteristics of trend in the north-south direction and have an average drainage basins such as size, shape, slope of drainage area, elevation of about 122 m [14]. The southern part of the drainage density, size and length of the contributories. study area consists of gently undulating ridges of coastal Geology, relief and climate are the primary determinants plain sands of the Benin Formation mainly around of running water ecosystems functioning at the basin scale. Ogbaku, Awomama ,Mgbidi, Izombe and Nkwesi areas. Detailed morphometric analysis of a basin is a great help Other areas around Orsu-Obodo towards Oguta town and in understanding the influence of drainage morphometric its immediate environs, have alluvium deltaic plain network on landforms and their characteristics. The deposits (Recent deposits) located mainly along the banks quantitative analysis of morphometric parameters is found of Orashi and Njaba Rivers. to be of immense utility in river basin evaluation, The geology and geomorphology of the Niger delta watershed prioritization for soil and water conservation have been described in details by various authors and natural resources management. The influence of [15,16,17]. The formation of the present day Niger delta drainage morphometric system is very significant in started during Early Paleocene and it resulted mainly from understanding the landform processes, soil physical the buildup of fine grained sediments eroded and transported properties