Morphometric Analysis of Nethravathi Watersheds

This study presents a comparative analysis of morphometric parameters for two watersheds of Nethravathi river flowing in Karnataka. Delineated watersheds from toposheet are subjected to their physical characterization, using parameters viz; stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, circulatory ratio, etc. Both the watershedsBidarthala and Manjotti have fern-like drainage pattern i.e., dendritic type which indicates homogeneity in texture. Biderthala basin with a catchment area of 0.589 km has been observed to have high drainage density and stream frequency indicating impermeable, dense vegetated region with mountainous relief, whereas Manjotti Hole of 0.28 km basin area, has relatively low values of drainage density and stream frequency, which represents the sparse vegetated region with less relief. Manjotti watershed is more circular than Biderthala basin. Both the basins have low value of length of overland flow emphasising the short flow paths, more runoff, and less infiltration. Further, these parameters can also be related with the land use and cover profiles of the regions.