Prioritizing Sub-Watersheds Based on Morphometric Characteristics of Shastri River Basin, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Morphometric analysis, when integrated with geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques, provides a scientific framework to assess watershed characteristics and identify erosion-prone zones. This study evaluates the Shastri River Basin in Maharashtra, India, using quantitative morphometric methods to prioritize its three sub-watersheds (SW1, SW2, SW3) for conservation planning. Ten morphometric parameters, across-the-board linear, areal, and shape indices, were derived from DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data using ArcGIS. Sub-watershed prioritization was performed using the Compound Factor (CF) approach. Findings reveal that SW1, with the highest drainage density and stream frequency, is most susceptible to erosion and runoff. SW3 ranks moderate, while SW2, exhibiting favorable morphometric conditions, is the least vulnerable. The study underscores the utility of morphometric analysis in preliminary watershed management, especially in data-scarce regions.