Abstract

Morphometric analysis of a highland microwatershed (Wah Umbah) area was carried out using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Detailed drainage map of the area was prepared from the high resolution satellite image and Survey of India (SOI) toposheets which was updated using IRS-1D PAN sharpened LISS-III analog data. Updated drainage maps were used for the drainage pattern analysis of the study area, The Wah Umbah microwatershed shows a sub-trellis drainage pattern with moderate drainage texture. High bifurcation ratio indicates a strong structural control on the drainage pattern. Lithological, structural and gemorphological expression of the microwatershed control the flow direction of the entire drainage network. It has been noticed that Wah Shella microwatershed is under the category of creep or tilting and hence it is vulnerable to geohazard.

Key words: Morphometry, Wah Umbah, microwatershed, drainage, geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, hydrological.