watershed prioritization and rainwater harvesting of pairi basin...

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Journal of Water and Land use Management

ISSN: 0973-9300, Volume 16, Issue 2

Watershed prioritization and rainwater

harvesting of Pairi basin based on

morphometric parameters using geospatial

technology

Agnisha Chakraborty and SK Nasib Ahamed1

Received: 24 December 2017

Reviewed and Accepted: 13 February 2018

Published: 05 April 2018

Abstract Watershed prioritization and rainwater harvesting are of great signifi-

cance in natural resource management. The morphometric parameters of both as-

pects e.g. linear and shape have been analysed for determining the prioritization of

watersheds so that necessary actions may take place at the proper time. The linear

morphometric parameters e.g. bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage texture

and stream frequency and the shape morphometric parameters e.g. circularity ra-

tio, form factor and elongation ratio are taken into consideration in terms of ero-

sion risk assessment parameters which have been used for watersheds prioritiza-

tion and assigning the ranks on the basis of value to get the compound value for

final ranking of each watershed. Being a precious asset of humanity, water needs

to conserve. Rainwater harvesting is one of them to conserve the water. The first

step is to identify more runoff potential zones which are necessarily needed to be

considered for rainwater harvesting. This study has been done in Pairi basin which

spreads over Chhattisgarh and Odisha states of India. The Pairi basin falls in dry

sub humid climatic region. The movements and occurrences of groundwater hap-

pen according to geomorphology of the concerned region. Geomorphic map has

been made on the basis of morphometric parameters as well as geospatial data.

Data are collected from Survey of India, Geological Survey of India, USGS,

Google Earth and field observation. The study demonstrates that Lilanj, Kajal and

Masulkhoi watersheds are prior to manage first and these watersheds lie in west-

ern part of the basin. Rajim, Nawagaon, Gariyaband and Khatti watersheds are

least prior to manage which stretches over lower basin. Check dams are to be con-

Agnisha Chakraborty () SK Nasib Ahamed

SoS in Geography, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur [email protected]

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structed on Kajal nadi and Lilanj nadi for reducing the excessive soil erosion as

well as harvesting the rainwater.

Keywords Prioritization; Morphometric; Geomorphic; Harvesting; Management

Introduction

Morphometry is the measurement and mathematical analysis of the configuration

of the earth’s surface, shape, and dimension of its landforms (Clarke, 1966). Mor-

phometric analysis provides quantitative description of the basin geometry to un-

derstand initial slope or inequalities in the rock hardness, structural controls, re-

cent diastrophism, geological and geomorphic history of the drainage basin

(Strahler, 1964). Geomorphic analysis helps in characterizing the watershed re-

vealing the hydrological and geomorphic processes (Singh, 1992).

A major emphasis in geomorphology over the past several decades has been on

the development of quantitative physiographic methods to describe the evolution

and behaviour of surface drainage networks (Horton, 1945; Leopold & Maddock,

1953; Abrahams, 1984). In the past, morphometric analysis was based on arbitrary

areas or single channel segment but the most logical choice at present is the water-

shed as a basic unit for morphometric analysis. Ground water occurrence at any

place on the earth is not a matter of chance but consequence of the interactions of

climatic, geomorphic and geologic (including structure) factors (S K Nag, 1998).

Geospatial techniques have gained an important tool for assessing watershed

characterization and planning for prioritization. Geospatial technology has been

used for delineating the prioritized areas of soil erosion by Shrimali et. al.(2001)

on Sukhana lake catchment in the Shiwalik hills. Another attempt has been made

by Nooka R. K. et. al. (2005) for targeting sites to build the check dams through

the analysis of micro watersheds prioritization using the sediment yield index

(SYI) model and morphometric analysis in GIS environment. Oweis, Prinz and

Hachum (2012) stated that making Ponds and pans, dams, terracing, percolation

tanks, and Nala bunds are the most common types of rainwater harvesting tech-

niques in arid and semi-arid regions. GIS approach has been adopted by Ziadat et

al. (2012) for identifying the suitable location for rainwater harvesting in Jordan.

Another investigation has been made by Ahmed (2013) in Pakistan to find out the

effective rainwater sites on the basis of runoff pattern using a hydrological model

through geospatial technology.

The relationship among bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage texture and

frequency, shape factors are made possible easily in geospatial technology for as-

sessing erosive characteristics, water percolation, or ground water recharge in a

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hydrological unit. A systematic study of these morphometric parameters and the

geological settings lead to a better result of prospective zone in a watershed. Hav-

ing the capacity of the synoptic view of a large area in geospatial technology, it

has enabled in understanding the geomorphology of the region.

Objectives

This paper is aimed to prioritize the watersheds in terms of erosion and targeting

sites for rainwater harvesting to conserve water resource.

Study area

The area of concern is Pairi basin (Figure1), formed by the river Pairi is one of the

major tributary of Mahanadi River. The geographical extension of Pairi basin is

19º 55' 52" N to 20 º 57' 59" N and 81 º 51' E to 82 º 26' 11" E. The area of the ba-

sin is 3262.62 Sq.km. and its perimeter is 392.559 km. The state Chhattisgarh in

India has been carved out of the eastern hilly part of former Madhya Pradesh state.

Pairi basin mainly lies in Chhattisgarh state but a small part of the upper basin

comes under Odisha state in Nuapada and Nabarangapur districts. Major portion

of the basin lies in two districts e.g. eastern part of Dhamtari and western part of

Gariyaband district. Pairi basin stretches over the Dhamtari, Gariyaband districts

of Chhattisgarh and Nuapada, Nabarangapur districts of Odisha (Figure1) covers

an area of 812.388 Sq.km. 2156.4984 Sq.km., 142.429 Sq.km. and 151.256

Sq.km. respectively. Administratively, the study area comprises a part of Magar-

lod, Nagri tehsils in Dhamtari district in west, Rajim, Churra, Gariyaband, Main-

pur tehsils in Gariyaband district in east, Komana C.D. block in Nuapada district

in the east and Raighar C.D. block in Nabarangapur district in south. Pairi basin is

located at an elevation ranging between 250mt to 1000mt having flat to gentle

slope.

Geologically, the Pairi basin dates back to Archaean age. Structurally it belongs

to peninsular India, a part of Gondwanaland, one of the oldest landmass of the

earth. The Pairi basin is mostly rigid in nature. Indications of tectonic events have

been found in eastern most part of the basin. The basin has been subject to erosion

since its formation and the archaean basement complex has been exposed in some

areas of the basin which has given rise to several elongated, circular and semi-

circular shaped hillocks. The Pairi basin belongs to Archaean to Cenozoic age. Al-

fisols comprises of Red Sandy soil which covers 94.56 % area of the basin. Red

Sandy soils are better known as “Haplustalfs” (C.G NATMO Atlas) which is pre-

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dominant in north, south, east and west except in north western part. Larger area

of this basin is covered by forest (63.63 %, reserve and protected forest).

Figure 1 Location of Pairi basin

Methodological Approach

Systematic quantitative measurements have been done to know the basin mor-

phometry. The drainages of Pairi basin have been digitized from topographical

sheets having 1:50000 scales published by Survey of India and updated through

Google earth image to bring out the recent scenario of the study area. For studying

various morphometric attributes, the basin is divided into several watersheds on

the basis of drainages (topographical sheets) and hillshade derived from ASTER

DEM (one arc having 30 metres resolution). Vertical accuracy assessment of

ASTER G DEM has been carried out using GCPs from GPS data. The elevations

of each point have been extracted using ArcGIS 10.3 software from the DEM then

the differences of elevation have been measured at each point of GCPs from its

corresponding DEM’s elevations. Finally, RMSE has been measured using these

difference values of elevation accounting for ±10.93m due to dense vegetal cover.

According to the guidelines of AIS & LUS (1990), the mean area of watershed is

less than 500 km² (± 50%). The watersheds are named either the name of main

river or village at the outlet. The elevation data (DEM) are collected from USGS

website (http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov). The geological information is gathered

from quadrangle map on 1:250,000 scales published by Geological Survey of In-

dia (www.portal.gsi.gov.in). The linear morphometric parameters e.g. bifurcation

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ratio, drainage density, drainage texture and stream frequency and the shape mor-

phometric parameters e.g. circularity ratio, form factor and elongation ratio are

taken into consideration in terms of erosion risk assessment parameters which

have been used for watersheds prioritization and assigning the ranks on the basis

of value to get the compound value for final ranking of each watershed. Then, the

compound scores are transformed into average value and all these measures have

been worked out in Arc GIS 10.3 environment. Least average value infers high

priority to manage.

Results and Discussion

Detailed morphometric analysis has been studied in this paper. The morphometric

parameters of both aspects e.g. Linear and shape have been analysed for determin-

ing the prioritization of watersheds so that necessary actions may take place at the

proper time. The linear morphometric parameters e.g. Bifurcation ratio, drainage

density, drainage texture and stream frequency and the shape morphometric pa-

rameters e.g. Circularity ratio, form factor and elongation ratio are taken into con-

sideration in terms of erosion risk assessment parameters which have been used

for watersheds prioritization.

Table no. 1 clearly reveals the result of various morphometric attributes of fif-

teen watersheds of Pairi basin. The bifurcation ratio (Figure 4) varies from 2.84 to

4.30 in all watersheds. Lilanj watershed is characterized by maximum bifurcation

ratio (4.30) and Gariyaband is associated with minimum Rb value (2.84). High the

bifurcation ratio is more prone to erosion. The drainage density (Figure 5) ranges

from 0.6 to 3.15 km/Sq.km in all watersheds. Lilanj watershed is characterized by

highest drainage density (3.15 km/Sq.km) and Rajim is associated with lowest Dd

value (0.6 km/Sq.km). High drainage density is associated with high erodibility.

The stream frequency of all watersheds in Pairi basin (Figure 6) varies from 0.66

to 4.81. Lilanj watershed is characterized by maximum stream frequency (4.81)

and Rajim is associated with minimum stream frequency (0.66). High stream fre-

quency indicates to high risk in erosion. The drainage texture (Figure 7) ranges

from 0.39 to 15.15 (table no. 1) in all watersheds. Lilanj watershed is character-

ized by maximum drainage texture (15.15) and Rajim is associated with minimum

Dt value (0.39). High drainage texture infers high erosion as well as high surface

run off.

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Table 1 Priorities of watersheds and their ranks based on morphometric characteristics.

Watersheds

Linear parameters Shape parameters Average Priority

Rb Rank Dd Rank Fs Rank Dt Rank Rc Rank Ff Rank Re Rank Cs

Rajim 3.92 2 0.6 3 0.66 3 0.39 5 0.16 4 0.09 4 0.35 4 25 3.57 Low

Nawagaon 3.43 3 0.85 3 0.78 3 0.67 5 0.21 4 0.11 4 0.37 4 26 3.71 Low

Malgaon 2.88 4 1.71 2 2.13 2 3.64 4 0.55 1 0.64 1 0.9 1 15 2.14 Medium

Gariyaband 2.84 4 1.41 2 1.38 3 1.95 5 0.55 1 0.32 3 0.63 4 22 3.14 Low

Son 3.71 2 2.11 2 2.98 2 6.28 2 0.3 3 0.59 1 0.87 2 14 2.00 Medium

Kusumbura 3.09 3 2.21 2 2.72 2 6.02 2 0.32 3 0.26 4 0.57 4 20 2.86 Medium

Sikaser 2.9 4 2.41 2 3.44 2 8.27 1 0.38 3 0.45 2 0.76 3 17 2.43 Medium

Sukha 3.27 3 2 2 2.1 2 4.19 3 0.5 1 0.35 3 0.66 4 18 2.57 Medium

Khatti 3.31 3 2.18 2 2.73 2 5.95 3 0.27 4 0.14 4 0.42 4 22 3.14 Low

Kajal 3.36 3 2.58 1 3.64 2 9.37 1 0.61 1 0.68 1 0.93 1 10 1.43 High

Kharta 4.01 1 3.09 1 4.52 1 13.98 1 0.32 3 0.22 4 0.53 4 15 2.14 Medium

Lilanj 4.3 1 3.15 1 4.81 1 15.15 1 0.44 2 0.34 3 0.65 4 13 1.86 High

Masulkhoi 4.03 1 3 1 4.45 1 13.37 1 0.46 2 0.38 3 0.7 3 12 1.71 High

Karhl 3.07 3 2.46 2 3.46 2 8.5 1 0.43 2 0.28 4 0.6 4 18 2.57 Medium

Risgaon 3.56 2 2.33 2 3.35 2 7.79 2 0.4 2 0.46 2 0.76 3 15 2.14 Medium

Source: Computed by Researcher. Rb= Bifurcation ratio, Dd= Drainage density, Fs= Stream frequency, Dt= Drainage texture, Rc= Circularity ratio, Ff=

Form factor, Cc= Compactness coefficient, Re= Elongation ratio, Cs= Compound scores

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Figure 1-4 (1) Physiography; (2) Digital elevation model; (3) Bifurcation ratio; (4) Drainage

density

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Figure 5-8 (5) Drainage frequency; (6) Drainage texture; (7) Circulatory ratio; (8) Form factor

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The circularity ratio of all watersheds in Pairi basin (Figure 8) varies from 0.16

to 0.61. Kajal watershed is characterized by maximum circularity ratio (0.61) and

Rajim is associated with minimum Rc value (0.16). Circular basin is prone to

more erosion and discharge. The form factor (Figure 9) varies from 0.09 to 0.68

(table 1) in all watersheds. Kajal watershed is characterized by maximum form

factor (0.68) and Gariyaband is associated with minimum Ff value (0.09). High

form factor is more prone to erosion. The elongation ratio ranges from 0.35 to

0.93 (table no. 1) in all watersheds. Kajal watershed is characterized by maximum

elongation ratio (0.93) and Rajim is associated with minimum Re value (0.35).

High elongation ratio indicates to circular basin is characterized by high erosion as

well as high surface runoff.

All these parameters have a direct relationship with erodibility. High values in-

crease the risk of erosion. Thus, the highest value is rated as rank 1, second high-

est value is given as 2rank and so on. The lowest value is assigned as last rank.

The range and assigned ranks are like that Rb: above 4 (R1), 3.51-4 (R2), 3.0-3.5

(R3), below 3 (R4), Dd: above 2.5 (R1), 1.2-2.5 (R2) and below 1.0 (R3), Fs:

above 3.5 (R1), 1.0-3.5 (R2) and below 1(R3), Dt: above 8 (R1), 6.1-8 (R2), 4.1-6

(R3), 2-4 (R4) and below 2 (R5), Rc: above 0.50 (R1), 0.41-0.50 (R2), 0.31-0.40

(R3) and below 0.30 (R4), Ff: above 0.50 (R1), 0.41-0.50 (R2), 0.31-0.40 (R3)

and below 0.30 (R4), Re: above 0.90 (R1), 0.81-0.90 (R2), 0.71-0.80 (R3) and be-

low 0.70 (R1).

After assigning the ranks for all watersheds based on each single parameters of

morphometry, the rank values are added to get the compound scores for each wa-

tershed. Then, the average values have been calculated and the watersheds having

least average value or rating value has been assigned to highest priority, next

higher value has been assigned to second priority and so on. The watershed having

highest average value indicates last priority. Table 1 and Figure 10 indicate that

Lilanj, Kajal and Masulkhoi watersheds are prior to manage first and these water-

sheds lie in western part of the basin. Rajim, Nawagaon, Gariyaband and Khatti

watersheds need to least priority and they lie in lower basin. Remaining eight wa-

tersheds require medium priority to manage and these watersheds are located in

east and south-east of the basin.

Targeting Sites for Rainwater Harvesting

Being a precious asset of humanity, water needs to conserve. Rainwater harvesting

is one of them to conserve the water. The first step is to identify more runoff po-

tential zones which are necessarily needed to be considered for rainwater harvest-

ing. The Pairi basin falls in dry sub humid climatic region.

The movements and occurrences of groundwater happen according to geomor-

phology of the concerned region. Figure 11 reveals that the area is constituted by

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plain or valley, buried and shallow pediment, uplands, hill regions, structural hills

etc. Geomorphic units and their hydrological characters are to be understood for

selecting the rainwater harvesting sites. On the other side, morphometric analysis

has been carried out for identifying the surface runoff potentiality zone, especially

drainage density and stream frequency. Few lineaments have been found in east-

ern basin but this region is highly elevated. Sikaser reservoir has been constructed

at the foot hill of eastern basin. Figure 6 infers that the western part of the basin is

characterized by very high stream frequency (above 8 streams /Sq.km) and Figure

5 refers that the western part of the study area is associated with high drainage

density (above 3km/Sq.km). High stream frequency and high drainage density in

western part of the study area make it evident that the western part of the basin is

highly surface runoff potential zone and these excessive surface runoff needs to

harvest which will reduce the excessive soil erosion for managing the watersheds

in one hand and enhance the ground water table as well as irrigated area.

In this study, rainwater harvesting sites have been identified in western basin

on the basis of morphometric analysis and geomorphology of the concerned area.

For this purpose two check dams (Figure 11) are suggested to construct. One is on

Kajal nadi in buried pediment and other is on Lilanj nadi in Shallow pediment.

Other three dams and reservoirs have been made in appropriate places in this basin

area.

Figure 10-11 (10) Prioritization based on morphometric parameters; (11) Rain harvesting sites

LEGEND

Geomorphic Units

Baruka ridge

Buried pediment

Dissected upland

Escarpment

Lower Pairi Plain

Middle Pairi Plain

Nagri-Mainpur Low upland

Pairi_Sondur divide

Raghar High upland

Residual hills

Rocky knobs

Shallow pediment

Sondur Plain

Hills

Sonabera hills

Structural hills

2 Dilla hills Region

1 Malewa hill

3 Pendra hill

4 Mainpur hill

5 Ghoragaon hill

Proposed Check Dam

Reservoirs

Rivers

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Conclusion

After detailed discussion of morphometric parameters it can be concluded that

Lilanj, Kajal and Masulkhoi watersheds are prior to manage first due to high

drainage frequency, drainage density as well as drainage texture which indicates to

high surface runoff and these watersheds lie in western part of the basin. Rajim,

Nawagaon, Gariyaband and Khatti watersheds need to least priority and they lie in

lower basin. Remaining eight watershedsrequire medium priority to manage and

these watersheds are located in east and south-east of the basin. On the other hand,

rainwater harvesting sites have been identified in western basin on the basis of

morphometric analysis and geomorphology of the concerned area. For this pur-

pose two check dams are suggested to construct. One is on Kajal nadi in buried

pediment and other is on Lilanj nadi in Shallow pediment.

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