Hypsometric Analysis of WRC-1 Watershed, Chargarh River Basin, Central India: A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach

Abstract

Hypsometric analysis is a valuable tool for determining the tectonic evolution of a river basin and the erosion susceptibility. It is also important for integrated watershed management, which include selecting suitable locations for groundwater recharge structures and for conservation of soil and water. This type of study can analyze the relationship between horizontal cross sectional area and the altitude of the watershed. It evaluates the hypsometric curve and hypsometric integral, as generated for the WRC-1 watershed, Chargarh river basin through remote sensing and GIS technique. In the present case, hypsometric analysis was carried out using Survey of India topographic maps, Arc map-10.2 software and SRTM-DEM. The hypsometric integral is calculated using mean elevation minus minimum elevation, divided by relief. The hypsometric curve, with a value of 0.69 for the hypsometric integral clearly indicates an inequilibrium stage (youthful stage) of geomorphic development, which is highly susceptible to erosion. These interpretations can further utilize appropriate measures of soil and water conservation for long-term development within the WRC-1 watershed.