Journal of Indian Geomorphology Volume 6, 2018 z ISSN 2320-0731 Indian Institute of Geomorphologists (IGI) Morphometric Evaluation using Geospatial Technology in the Kunur River Basin of West

Debasis Ghosh1, Monali Banerjee1, Mrinal Mandal2 and Surajit Prasad Singh2 1Department of Geography, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019 2Department of Geography, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia 723101: E-mail: [email protected] (Corresponding author)

Abstract: The topographic, network and hydrological parameters of the micro- watersheds of Kunur River Basin (KRB) has been analysed to understand the behaviour of the Kunur stream. The morphometric approach involving the analysis of multi-thematic and spatio-temporal parameters have largely helped in the logical assessment of hydrological character of the basin. The KRB is a ¿IWKRUGHUEDVLQZLWKGHQGULWLFWRVXEGHQGULWLFGUDLQDJHSDWWHUQ0RUSKRORJLFDO study substantiated by statistical and geo-spatial techniques was used in analysing the morphometric characteristics of KRB. The analysis helped to establish relationships between the morphometric characteristics of the drainage basin and its hydro-geologic parameters. The study also attempts to investigate WKHFDXVHVEHKLQGWKHKLJKLQWHQVLW\ÀRRGVLQ.5%7KHK\GURJHRORJLFDQDO\VLV provides information about the characteristics of groundwater recharging in the basin and recommends that any plan for water resource management in the KRB, should include the construction of recharging ponds and caution should be maintained during prolonged periods of heavy precipitation.

Introduction parts of the world (Horton, 1932, 1945; Stra- Drainage basin is the most fundamental hler, 1952, 1957, 1964; Miller, 1953; Schu- unit of investigation in terms of geometric mm, 1956; Morisawa, 1985; Shreve, 1967; FKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIÀXYLDOODQGVFDSH0RUSKR- Scheidegger, 1967; Smart, 1968; Gardiner metry is mathematical analysis of the draina- and Park, 1978). In , drainage basin ge basin where channel network plays a vital analysis using morphometric techniques has role in understanding the hydro-geomorpho- been done by different scholars in various logical behaviour of the drainage basin. Mor- parts of the country (Reddy et al., 2004; Tha- phometry also expresses the interrelationship kkar and Dhiman, 2007; Ahmed and Khan, between geomorphology, geology and preva- 2013; Dash et al.; 2013). However, there are iling climate of the catchment under study. few systematic studies carried out on Kunur Documentation of basin characteristics using River Basin (KRB) itself (Roy, 2013; Bandy- morphometric techniques was well known opadhyay et al., 2014) and none of the studies since early nineteenth century in various so far done on KRB has actually attempted 42 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 a correlation among the various morphome- (elevation 100 m) in the Faridpur area of tric parameters. A remarkable study has been Bardhhaman district (Fig. 1). The Kunur done on KRB by considering the entropy mo- River (23°25´ʾ1 WR ۍʾ1 DQG ۍʾE del which revealed the stage of evolution of WR ۍʾ(  LV D ¿IWK RUGHU QRQSHUHQQLDO the KRB (Bandyopadhyay et al 2014). monsoon-dominated river traversing a total The geomorphometric analysis includes distance of 112 km before merging with river quantitative measurement and analysis of Ajay at (Plate 1D) as its right bank linear (stream order, stream number, stream tributary. Majority of the river course falls length, stream length ratio, bifurcation within the canal command area of Damodar ratio) and areal aspects (drainage density, river Basin covering 277 villages and three stream frequency, drainage texture, length urban areas, located partly or fully within of overland ratio, constant of channel the basin. The KRB extends over an area of maintenance, elongation ratio, circulatory about 826.50 km2 with a perimeter of 174 km ratio, form factor, shape factor) of the drainage having an elongated and asymmetrical shape. basin. The GIS platform was used for digital The basin is dominated by semi-dendritic extraction of morphometric parameters and sub parallel drainage pattern and basin from digital elevation models (SRTM DEM, elevation varies from <43 m to 100 m from 2006) Statistical analysis aids in reducing mean sea level. the correlation complexity and helping us The landscape of KRB shows great

Figure 1. Location map and geological setting of the Kunur River Basin. in minimizing the error in the drainage diversity in terms of physiographic, geological basin research. The basic steps involved and pedological conditions. A fault zone runs LQ PRUSKRPHWULF DQDO\VLV DUH GH¿QLQJ through Jalangi-Debagram and Barddhaman- measuring and analyzing the quantitative :HVW*KDWDODUHDZKLFKLVSRVVLEO\UHÀHFWHG LQGLFHV UHODWHG WR ÀRZ SODQH JHRPHWU\ in the SSW–NNE course of the Kunur of KRB. The present study examines the river near Mongolkot (Bandyopadhyay et morphometric characteristics of KRB and its al., 2014). The morphometric and channel implementation. network analysis plays an important role in understanding the geo-hydrological Geographical setting of Kunur river basin behaviour of drainage basin. The Kunur river originates near Banshgara

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 43 Figure 2 $ *HRORJLFDOPDSRIWKHVWXG\DUHDZLWKHQWLUH$MD\ULYHUV\VWHP PRGL¿HGDIWHU%KDWWDFKDU\D (B) Lineament map of the Kunur basin (GSI, 2015). Objectives Suite 11 and Adobe Photoshop CS6 were also The main objectives of the present study used. are: Morphometric parameters of drainage  To evaluate the morphometric parameters networks such as the bifurcation ratio, of Kunur drainage basin drainage density, stream frequency, texture  To understand the impact of the ratio, basin relief, ruggedness number and PRUSKRPHWULF SDUDPHWHUV RQ WKH ÀXYLDO time of concentration were evaluated with environment of KRB. established mathematical equations (Table-1). The drainage network was extracted from a Database and methods '(0 ¿J   JHQHUDWHG IURP GLJLWLVLQJ WKH Survey of India topographical sheets of contours of topographical maps and prepared various editions with 1:50,000 RF were used the contours of 10-m intervals using the to create a base map. The morphometric Hydrology toolset in GIS environment. data regarding hierarchy of the drainage SRTM DEM is also used to derive and network, drainage length, drainage basin area calculate morphometric parameters as well and perimeter were extracted from the base as drainage network for the understanding of map using TNT MIPS (version Basic-2014) geo-hydrological conditions of the KRB. The which is a RS and GIS integrated software. precision of the DEM affects the accuracy Statistical software like Grapher 9 and photo of the extracted drainage network. Stream editing software like Coral Draw Graphic orders of drainage networks derived from Table 1. Data base used for morphometric analysis of Kunur river basin.

Type of Material/data Details Source 73M/6, 73M/10, 73M/11, 73M/14, Topographical maps Survey of India (1971–72) 73M/15 with scale 1:50,000

Geological map Geological Map of Ajay Valley A.K. Bhattacharya, (1972)

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography 3 arc sec (approximately 90 m http://strm.csi.cgiar.org Mission) data, 2006 resolution)

44 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 topographic maps were entered manually assigned automatically in GIS. Quantitative whilst those derived from the DEM were analysis has been done based on Survey of

Figure 3. Elevation map of the Kunur River Basin based on SRTM DEM (2006).

Table 2. Methodology adopted for computation of morphometric parameters.

Morphometric parameters Formulae Abbreviation References Linear Aspects

Stream Order (U) Strahler (1964)

Nu = Total number of Stream Number (Nu) Horton (1945) streams The average length of streams of different orders in a drainage Stream length (Lu) Lu = Total length of stream Horton (1945) basin tends closely to approximate a direct geometric ratio. Mean stream length (Lsm) Lsm = Lu/Nu Lu = stream length Nu = stream Number Strahler (1964) Lu=Total stream length of Stream length ratio (Rl) RL = Lu/Lu1 order, Lu1=Total stream Horton (1945) length of its next lower order Nu1 = No of segments of the Bifurcation Ratio (Rb) Rb = Nu/Nu1 Schumm (1956) next higher order Continued MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 45 Areal Aspects Lu = Total stream length of Drainage Density (Dd) Dd = Lu/A Horton (1932) order, A = Area Nu = Total no of streams, A Stream Frequency (Fs) Nu/A Horton (1932) = Area Nu = Total no of streams; p = Drainage Texture (Rt) Rt = nu/p Horton (1945) perimeter of the basin Length of over land ratio Lg = 1/2Dd Dd = Drainage density Horton (1945) (Lg) Constant of channel 1/Dd Dd = Drainage density Schumm (1956) Maintenance (C) A = Area, p = perimeter of Circulatory Ratio (Rc) 5F  ʌ$S Miller (1953) the basin

Form Factor (Rf) Rf = A/L2 A = Area, L = Basin length Horton (1945)

Elongation Ratio  ¥ $ʌ /E A = Area, Lb = Basin length Schumm (1956)

India Toposheet and SRTM DEM (2006) The left bank tributaries are draining through XQFODVVL¿HG JQHLVVLF FRPSOH[ DQG WKH ULJKW Results and discussion bank lower order steams have cut their valleys Quantitative description of drainage through old and recent alluvium deposit. network and basin characteristics has Geology plays a vital role in the development been carried out for the KRB. The study of the drainage system in KRB. emphasises the use of satellite remote sensing STREAM NUMBER (NU) for morphometric analysis and the results are In general, the number of the stream discussed below. segments decreases as the order increases. Linear Aspects The higher stream number indicates lesser Stream order, stream length, mean stream SHUPHDELOLW\ DQG LQ¿OWUDWLRQ7KH FRPSXWHG length, stream length ratio and bifurcation stream number (Nu) and revealed that total ratio are linear aspects that were determined number of streams in the watershed is 283. and results have been given in Table 2. Out of which 209 are 1st order, 55 streams STREAM ORDER (U) are of 2nd order, 16 streams are of 3rd order Stream order is not only the index of and only 2 streams are of 4th order (Table size and scale of the drainage basin, but also 3). A plot of log of stream number against FDQDSSUR[LPDWHWKHDPRXQWRIVWUHDPÀRZ stream order for KRB is represented in ZLWKLQWKHEDVLQ,WLVSHUKDSVWKH¿UVWVWHSLQ Figure 5A. High R2 ([SODLQHG YDULDQFH  GUDLQDJHEDVLQDQDO\VLV7KH.5%LVD¿IWK  YDOXHVVXJJHVWWKDWWKHEHVW¿WWHGPRGHO order drainage basin (Fig. 4) as derived from is exponential regression which explains the the SRTM DEM (2006) following Strahler’s relation between stream order and stream (1964) stream ordering system (Table 2). number. The lower order streams originate from MEAN STREAM LENGTH (LSM) heterogeneous geological formations. The The mean stream length of a basin frequency of right bank tributaries is more is a dimensional property revealing the in comparison to the left bank tributaries. characteristics of a drainage network and its 46 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 contributing basin surfaces. In general mean The Bifurcation Ratio (Rb) has been length of channel segments of a given order calculated after Strahler (1964) and a unique is greater than that of the next lower order but trend can be seen in case of KRB. Up to less than the next higher order. Mean stream the 3rd order streams the Rb value ranges length of Kunur basin reveals an increasing between 3.44 and 3.88, (Fig. 2) which is not trend with the increase in stream order. unusual for any river basin. But the value STREAM LENGTH (LU) of Rb increases abruptly to 8 in case of 4th 6WUHDPOHQJWKLVRQHRIWKHPRVWVLJQL¿FDQW order streams of KRB (Table 3). It is because hydrological parameter of basin analysis. the 4th order streams of KRB are draining Stream length is relatively small in the upper through older and recent alluvial tract from catchment area than lower catchment area of where a considerable number of rills, gullies KRB due to the difference in gradient. Smaller and ravines are meeting with Kunur. The lengths are characteristic of areas with higher mean value of Rb for the entire KRB is 4.31, VORSHDQG¿QHUWH[WXUHZKHUHDVORQJHUOHQJWKV which indicates the possibility of geological of streams are generally indicative of lower heterogeneity in the region. gradient. Near the source of the Kunur river Areal Aspects WKHHOHYDWLRQLVPDQGQHDULWVFRQÀXHQFH DRAINAGE DENSITY (DD) the elevation is around 30 m. The Dd is the ratio of cumulative length STREAM LENGTH RATIO (RL) of channel segments for all orders within a 6WUHDPOHQJWKUDWLR 5/ PD\EHGH¿QHG basin to the basin area, which is expressed as the ratio of the mean length of an order to in terms km–km2. Drainage density (DD) the next lower order of stream segment. The indicates the extent of landform dissection stream length ratio of the KRB ranges from and generally, DD increases with decreasing 0.23 to 0.54. The stream length ratio between LQ¿OWUDWLRQ FDSDFLW\ RI WKH XQGHUO\LQJ URFNV streams of different orders reveals variations and decreasing transmissivity of the soil. which may be attributed to variation in slope Drainage density is related to lithology, and topography. UXQRIISRWHQWLDOLQ¿OWUDWLRQFDSDFLW\VXUIDFH BIFURCATION RATIO (RB) roughness, climatic conditions and vegetative

Figure 4. Stream ordering of the Kunur river basin (after Strahler, 1952).

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 47 Table 3. Calculation for Stream length Ratio and Bifurcation Ratio. Mean Stream length Bifurcation ratio Stream order No of segments Total length(km) length(km) ratio (Rl) (Rb)

1st 209 203.67 0.97 -

2nd 55 99.44 1.81 0.54 3.8

3rd 16 75.24 4.70 0.39 3.44

4th 2 40.77 20.39 0.23 8

5th 1 64.62 64.62 0.32 2

Total 283 483.74 92.49 0.37 4.31

Figure 5. (A) Relation between logarithm of number of stream segments with stream order in the Kunur River Basin. (B) Stream order vs. mean stream length plot of the Kunur River Basin. The regression line is of positive exponential function model. cover of the basin (Verstappen, 1983; and VLJQL¿FDQWFRUUHODWLRQZLWKGUDLQDJHGHQVLW\ Reddy et al., 2004). For steep slopes an KRB has low drainage density 0.52 km–km2 inverse correlation has been modelled by which is indicative of permeable sub surface Montgomery and Dietrich (1992). Out material, moderate vegetative cover and low of which only surface roughness has no to moderate relief.

48 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 Plate 1. (A) Upper reaches of the Kunur river in the Faridpur forest area near Bansgara, Barddhaman District. (B and C) 'DWDJHQHUDWLRQGXULQJ¿HOGYLVLW ' .XQXU$MD\FRQÀXHQFHQHDU1XWDQKDW%DUGGKDPDQ:HVW%HQJDO

DRAINAGE TEXTURE (RT) designate that the KRB has medium to coarse Drainage texture (RT) is another important drainage texture. drainage parameter in morphometric analysis. STREAM FREQUENCY (FS) 7KH.5%VKRZVVLJQL¿FDQWGLYHUVLW\LQWHUPV Stream frequency (Fs) or channel of physiography, lithology and pedological frequency as the ratio of total number of conditions experiencing different geomorphic stream segments of all orders to the basin processes. Generally, it is observed that area. Low Fs values indicate permeable during the monsoon period the KRB sub-surface material and low relief, whereas experiences high discharge. Drainage Texture higher values are the characteristic of (RT) depends upon drainage density along impermeable, resistant sub-surface material, with climate, rainfall, vegetation, lithology, sparse vegetation and high relief. The average VRLOW\SHDQGLQ¿OWUDWLRQFDSDFLW\,QLWVXSSHU stream frequency of the KRB is 0.31 which UHDFKHVWKH.XQXUULYHUÀRZVRYHUDPRUHRU indicates that the basin has high hydrological less homogenous area in terms of the above potential. mentioned parameters and the Rt value is DRAINAGE INTENSITY (DI) 1.22. But the lower reaches of KRB show )DQLUDQ  GH¿QHVGUDLQDJHLQWHQVLW\ an abrupt change in Rt value (>0.66), which (DI), as the ratio of stream frequency to means that here there is strong lithological the drainage density. This study shows a control. The mean grain size varies between low drainage intensity of 0.60 for the KRB 0.2–0.5 mm. The mean value of Rt (1.68) watershed. Such low drainage intensity

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 49 implies that drainage density and stream frequency have little effect on the extent to Basin Geometry which the surface has been lowered by agents Area of a basin (A) and perimeter (P) are of denudation. With low values of drainage the two important parameters in quantitative density, stream frequency and drainage morphology. The area and perimeter of the intensity, surface runoff is not likely to drain basin is computed by vectorising the basin quickly from the watershed, making it highly from Survey of India topographical sheets. VXVFHSWLEOH WR ÀRRGLQJ JXOO\ HURVLRQ DQG The total area of the basin is found to be landslides. 826.50 km2. Areal aspects such as circulatory INFILTRATION NUMBER (IF) ratio, form factor, constant of channel 7KHLQ¿OWUDWLRQQXPEHURIDZDWHUVKHGLV maintenance etc. have important bearing on GH¿QHGDVWKHSURGXFWRIGUDLQDJHGHQVLW\DQG channel and network parameters. stream frequency and gives an idea about the CIRCULATORY RATIO (RC) LQ¿OWUDWLRQ FKDUDFWHULVWLFV RI WKH ZDWHUVKHG &LUFXODULW\UDWLR 5F KDVEHHQGH¿QHGDV 7KHKLJKHUWKHLQ¿OWUDWLRQQXPEHUWKHORZHU the ratio of the area of the basin (A) to the area ZLOOEHWKHLQ¿OWUDWLRQUDWHDQGWKHKLJKHUZLOO of a circle having the same circumference as EHWKHUXQRII,Q¿OWUDWLRQQXPEHURIWKH.5% the perimeter (P) of the basin. Circularity is 0.16, which indicates that runoff will be very UDWLR 5F  LV LQÀXHQFHG E\ WKH OHQJWK DQG KLJKDQGWKHLQ¿OWUDWLRQFDSDFLW\YHU\ORZ frequency of streams, geological structures, LENGTH OF OVER LAND FLOW (LG) land use/ land cover, climate, relief and 7KH OHQJWK RI RYHUODQG ÀRZ /G) may slope of the basin. The circularity ratio of the EHGH¿QHGDVWKHOHQJWKRIZDWHUÀRZRYHU KRB is 0.41. This value indicates the lack of the ground before it gets concentrated into circularity. GH¿QHG FKDQQHOV DQG LV FRQVLGHUHG DV RQH FORM FACTOR (RF) of the most important independent variables Form Factor (RF) is expressed as the ratio affecting hydrologic and geomorphic of the basin area to the square of the basin evolution of drainage basins. The average length (Horton, 1945). Larger values of RF OHQJWK RI RYHUODQG ÀRZ LV DSSUR[LPDWHO\ LQGLFDWH VKDUS ULVH LQ SHDN ÀRZV RI VKRUW half the average distance between stream duration whereas, smaller values of RF imply channels and is therefore approximately PRUH ÀDWWHU SHDN ÀRZV RI ORQJHU GXUDWLRQ equals to half of reciprocal of drainage The latter situation is usually observed in density. Drainage density is an approximate elongated basins. The hydrological behaviour PHDVXUHRIWKHOHQJWKRIRYHUODQGÀRZ)RU of KRB is characterised by RF value of 0.18 basins of comparable relief, the hydrologic DQGÀDVK\ÀRZZLWKVKDUSK\GURJUDSKSHDN response of a stream network should be WANDERING RATIO (RW) directly related to drainage density because According to Smart and Surkan (1967), with increasing drainage density the path ZDQGHULQJUDWLRLVGH¿QHGDVWKHUDWLRRIWKH OHQJWKRIRYHUODQGÀRZGHFUHDVHVZKLOHKLOO length of the mainstream to the valley length. slope angle increases (Schumm, 1956). Valley length is the straight-line distance The value of Length of Overland Flow between outlet of the basin and the farthest of the KRB is 0.96. The value is equals to point on the ridge. In the present study, the half of the constant of channel maintenance. wandering ratio of the KRB watershed is The value of (Lg) is high and it indicates that 1.01. erosion and dissection potentials are low in FITNESS RATIO (RF) Kunur basin. As per Melton (1957), the ratio of main

50 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 channel length to the length of the watershed KRB is 1.92. This low value indicates high perimeter is Fitness Ratio (Rf), which is a structural disturbances, low permeability, PHDVXUH RI WRSRJUDSKLF ¿WQHVV 7KH ¿WQHVV steep to very steep slopes and high surface ratio for KRB watershed is 0.51. runoff.

LEMNISCATE’S (K) Implications of Basin Parameters

Table 4. Morphometric characteristics of the Kunur river basin and the results. Morphometric parameters Result Remark

Stream Number (NU) 283 Medium Stream order (U) 5 Medium

Mean stream length (LSM) 1.71(km) Low

Bifurcation Ratio (RB) 4.31 Geological control on the river

Stream length (LU) 483.74 (km) Low

Stream length ratio (RL)0.37Low

Drainage Density (DD) 0.52 (km km–2) Low Stream Frequency (Fs) 0.31 Very low

Drainage Texture (RT) 1.68 Coarse drainage texture

Circulatory Ratio (RC) 0.41 Lack of circularity

Form Factor (RF) 0.18 Narrow Elongated Elongation Ratio 0.84 Elongated

/HQJWKRIRYHUODQGÀRZ /G) 0.96 Reciprocal of drainage density Constant of channel Maintenance (C) 1.92 High structural disturbance

Chorely et al. (1957) express the Deciphering the controlling factors Lemniscates value to determine the slope The basic parameters of KRB provide RIWKHEDVLQ,QWKH)RUPXODN /E2 / 4× A. LQIRUPDWLRQDERXWWKHGRPLQDQFHRI¿UVWRUGHU Where, Lb is the basin length (km) and A is stream (209), high surface run off, mature the area of the basin (km2). The Lemniscates stage of topography, low sediment production (k) value for the watershed is 1.40, which DQGKLJKLQ¿OWUDWLRQUDWH$OOVWUHDPVDQGWKHLU shows that the KRB watershed occupies drainage network originating in the alluvium maximum area in its regions of inception shows a linear relationship with a small with large number of streams of higher order. deviation when logarithmic stream number Constant of Channel Maintenance(C) is plotted against the stream order (Fig. 5A). The Constant of Channel Maintenance (C) It shows that this river basin obeys Horton’s measures the amount of watershed surface ODZVZKLFKFRQ¿UPVWKHOLQHDUUHODWLRQVKLSV area in feet2 required to sustain one linear foot between stream number and stream order, of channel. It is calculated as the reciprocal of and mean stream length and stream order. drainage density and the unit of measurement The river network (order and stream number), is feet2 –ft. It has dimensions of length and slope and surface relief tend to reach a steady therefore increases in magnitude as the scale state, when the channel morphology is of the landform units increases. In short, it adjusted to transmit the sediment and excess The Constant of Channel Maintenance of the ÀRZ EDVHG RQ OLWKRORJ\ FOLPDWH UDLQIDOO

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 51 and other relevant parameters of the basin 2001). Precipitation during monsoon season (Horton, 1945; Strahler, 1952; Mesa, 2006). in the catchment area initially increases the From the results of morphometric analyses VXEVXUIDFH LQ¿OWUDWLRQ ZKLFK LQFUHDVHV WKH and mapping, it could be inferred that the groundwater table and after some time the frequency of the right hand tributaries are LQ¿OWUDWLRQ GHFUHDVHV ZKLFK LQFUHDVHV WKH more in comparison to the left bank. The surface runoff. The gentle slope gradient, right bank tributaries drained through pre- ORZVXUIDFHUXQRIIDQGKLJKLQ¿OWUDWLRQUDWH Quaternary rocks and the left bank lower is favourable for building up the hydraulic RUGHUVWHDPVÀRZWKURXJKDOOXYLXPGHSRVLW gradient suitable for groundwater recharge. (Fig. 2A). Therefore, lithology plays a vital Groundwater recharging is a natural and role on the drainage system of KRB. The continuous process in the basin during stream length ratio (RL) between streams monsoon season. According to Niyogi (1985), of different orders varies from 0.30 to 0.55 the unconsolidated Quaternary deposits, i.e. and this may be attributed to variation in older and recent alluvium (Fig. 1) have high slope and topography. Conspicuous result groundwater recharge potentiality and large of bifurcation ratio (8.0) has been found in yield prospect (>150 m3 hr–1 ZKLFKFRQ¿UPV case of fourth-order stream in KRB. It is the present inferences. because the fourth order streams are draining In many parts of the basin groundwater through older and recent alluvial tract from is depleting fast as evidenced by installation where a considerable number of rills, gullies, of pumps. Therefore ponds/trench/ pits kandar (yazoo stream) and paleo-channels should be made to facilitate the recharging of are meeting the main stream. aquifers during precipitation. The upper part The value of circulatory ratio (0.41) and of this basin is characterised by dominance e elongation ratio (0.84) indicates that the of coal mining activities having impact on catchment of Kunur is elongated and skewed WKH ÀXYLDO HQYLURQPHQW VR ZDWHU UHVRXUFH in SE direction having dendritic drainage planning should be made accordingly. The pattern. The area is characterised by moderate OHQJWKRIRYHUODQGÀRZ /J LQGLFDWHVVKRUWHU to low relief (Fig. 3) and the drainage system SDWK IRU WKH FRQFHQWUDWLRQ RI ÀRZ ZKLFK is lithologically and structurally controlled explains that the peak discharge takes place ZKLFKLVFRQ¿UPHGE\%DQG\RSDGK\D\et al. in the middle and downstream part of the (2014). In this region. KRB has the drainage river. It has been observed that whenever density of 0.52 km km–2. The low drainage rainfall is high in the catchment area there is GHQVLW\DQGPRGHUDWHWR¿QHWH[WXUHPD\EH ÀRRGLQWKHGRZQVWUHDPSDUWRIWKHEDVLQLQ the result of lithological control. the years 1978, 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2005 Hydrological inferences (Niyogi, 1987). This indicates that caution The derived morphometric parameters VKRXOGEHWDNHQDQGÀRRGPLWLJDWLRQSODQQLQJ provide information about low relief (50- should be made during periods of prolonged 20 m), low stream length ratio (0.37), low heavy precipitation. Desiltation of the VXUIDFH UXQRII KLJK LQ¿OWUDWLRQ UDWH ORZ channel, diversion canals, and construction stream power for erosion, low sediment of embankment capable of holding the peak transport, low water storage capacity and discharge of the river are suggestive measures. concentration of peak discharge in the distal SDUWRIWKLVEDVLQ7KHODUJHUQXPEHURI¿UVW Conclusions order streams indicate uniform lithology The present study indicates that and gentle slope gradient (Kale and Gupta, UHPRWH VHQVLQJ DQG *,6 LV DQ HI¿FLHQW

52 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018 tool in delineation, analysis and updating 20–27. morphometric and hydrological parameters Bandyopadhay, S., Sinha, S., Jana, N. C. and of a drainage basin. Based on the analyses, the Ghosh, D. (2014). Entropy Application to .XQXU%DVLQKDVEHHQFODVVL¿HGDV¿IWKRUGHU Evaluate the Stability of Landscape in Kunur basin which gives the basic idea about the River Basin,,India. Current nature of drainage. The quantitative analysis Science, 104(11): 1842–1853. of linear and aerial parameters helped to Bhattacharya A.K (1972), A Study of the establish relationships between the drainage Sediments. In Baghi, K.G. (ed) basin and hydro-geomorphic parameters. The Bhagirathi-Hooghly Basin, Calcutta University: 18–32. The study reveals that Geoinformatics- based approach in quantitative evaluation of Chorley, R., Donald, E.M. and Pogorzelski, H. GUDLQDJH SDUDPHWHUV DQG WKHLU LQÀXHQFH RQ (1957). New Standard For Estimating Drainage Basin Shape. American Journal of Science landforms characteristics at the basin level 255, 138–141. are more appropriate than the conventional Dash, P., Aggarwal, S.P. and Verma, N. (2013). methods. This is essential to understand Correlation Based Morphometric Analysis To terrain and hydrological parameters, which Understand Drainage Basin Evolution: A Case helps in better understanding of the land Study of Sirsa River Basin, Western Himalaya, form, their processes, drainage management India. 6FLHQWL¿F $QQDOV I $OH[DQGUX ,RDQ and evolution of groundwater potential for Cuza, 51(9): 35–38. watershed planning and management. This Faniran, A. (1968) The Index of Drainage will be useful for soil and water conservation Intensity—A Provisional New Drainage Factor. DQG LV D SRVLWLYH VFLHQWL¿F FRQWULEXWLRQ IRU Australian Journal of Science, 31: 328–330. the people of Kunur River Basin area. This Gardiner, V. and Park, C.C. (1978) Drainage work will be useful for natural resources basin morphometry: review and assessment, management for sustainable development at Progress In Physical Geography, 2(1): 1–35. the basin scale. GSI: Geological Society of India (2015) Quaternary geology and geomorphology Acknowledgements of Ajay basin, Birbhum and This paper is a part of the M.Sc term paper of districts, West Bengal with special reference to Surajit Prasad Singh of Sidho-Kanho-Birsha geoenvironmental studies, Quaternary Geology University and the authors acknowledges the and Geomorphology Division, Eastern Region, Calcutta, 2nd Ed: 1–57. Institute for providing the necessary support for this work. The authors are also thankful to Horton, R. (1932). Drainage Basin Characteristics. Transactions of American Geophysical Union, Dr. Subhajit Sinha (Department of Geology, 13: 350–361. Durgapur Government College) for useful Horton, R.E. (1945) Erosional Development discussions. Special mention should be made Of Streams And Their Drainage Basin: of Samiran Dutta, Soumik Bhattacharya, Hydrological Approach to Quantitative Dipanwita Sarkar and Monali Banerjee for Morphology, Geological Society of America SURYLGLQJ¿HOGDVVLVWDQFH Bulletin, 56: 275–370. Kale, V.S. and Gupta, A. (2001) Introduction to References Geomorphology. Orient Longman Limited: Ali, S.A. and Khan, N. (2013). Evaluation Of 285p. Morphometric Parameters- A Remote Sensing Melton, M.A. (1957) An analysis of the relations And Gis Based Approach. . International among elements of climate, surface properties Journal Of Geomatics And Geoscience, 03(01): and geomorphology, Project NR 389042,

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION USING GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE KUNUR RIVER BASIN 53 Technical Report 11, Columbia University, Sensing and GIS, 2(2): 61–73. New York, 102p. Scheidegger, A.E. (1967) A Complete Mesa, L.M. (2006) Morphometric analysis Thermodynamics Analogy for Landscape of a subtropical Andean basin (Tucuma´n, Evolution. Bulletin of the International Argentina), Environmental Geology, 50: 1235– $VVRFLDWLRQRI6FLHQWL¿F+\GURORJ\: 57–62. 1242. Schumn, S.A. (1956) Evolution of Drainage Miller, V.C. (1953) A Quantitative Geomorphic System and Slopes in Badlands at Perth Study of Drainage Basin Characteristics in the Amboy. New Jersey. Geological Society of Clinch Mountain Area, Virginia and Tennessee. America Bulletin, 67: 597–646. Department of Geology Columbia University, 6KUHYH 5/   ,Q¿QLWH 7RSRORJLFDOO\ New York: 389-402. Random Channel Networks, Journal of Montgomery, D.R. And. Dietrich, W.E. Geology, 75: 178–186. (1992) Channel Initiation and the Problem Smart, J.S., and Surkan, A.J. (1967) The relation of Landscape Scale, Science, American between mainstream length and area in Association for the Advancement of Science, drainage basins. Water Resource Research, 255: 826–830. 3(4): 963–973. Morisawa, M. (1985). Rivers Form and Processes. Strahler, A.N. (1952) Hypsometric (area-altitude) New York, Longman Group Limited: 222p. analysis of erosional topography, Geological Niyogi, M. (1985) Groundwater Resources of Society of America Bulletin, 63: 1117–1142. the Ajay Basin. In: Mukhopadhyay S.C. (ed) Strahler, A.N. (1957) Quantatitative Analysis of Geographical Mosaic, Modern Book Agency Watershed Geomorphology. Transactions of Pvt. Limited, Calcutta: 165–183. American Geophysical Union, 38: 913–920. Niyogi, M. (1987) Flood frequency and magnitude Strahler, A.N. (1964) Quantitative analyses in the Ajay Basin. Indian Journal of Geomorphology of Drainage Basin and Landscape System and Ecological Studies, Channel Networks. In Chow, V.T. (ed). 10(1): 22–29. Handbookof Applied Hydrology, Mcgraw Hill Reddy, G.P.Obi., Maji, A.K. and Gajbhiye, Book Company,Newyork: 4–11. K.S. (2004) Drainage Morphometry and its Thakkar, A.K. and Dhiman, S.D. (2007) ,QÀXHQFH RQ /DQGIRUP &KDUDFWHULVWLFV LQ D Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Basaltic Terrain, Central India – A Remote Miniwatersheds in Mohr Watershed, Gujarat Sensing and GIS Approach,. International Using Remote Sensing and Gis Techniques. Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Geoinformation, 6(1):1–16. Sensing, 35(4): 313–321. Roy, S. (2013) Combined Techniques in Fluvial Verstappen, H.T. (1983) Applied Geomorphology: Geomorphology: An Application of Sampling Geomorphological Surveys for Environmental and GIS for Quantitative Analysis of the Development, Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Kunur River Basin, Middle Barddhaman, Ltd: 450p. West Bengal. International Journal of Remote

Date received : 18 July 2015 Date accepted after revision: 21 December 2017

54 JOURNAL OF INDIAN GEOMORPHOLOGY: VOLUME 6, 2018