Delineate the hydrological boundaries situation using the morphometric analysis and geological features: A case study of Laylan sub-basin, Kirkuk / NE Iraq

Abstract

Water is the backbone of life for humans, animals, and plants; so, water is one of the necessities that are indispensable if life is to continue. Laylan area, as a part of Kirkuk governorate, suffers from water scarcity and the main source for this area is groundwater. The objectives of this study are to assess the hydro morphometric reality and compare it with the hydrogeological reality of the region depending on the fact that the hydrological boundaries are an indicator of the hydrological basins, The hydrological studies like the current this study in this region are almost non-existent, which motivates us to make this study. The digital elevation model (DEM) has been used to extract a set of morphometric parameters. The result showed that the study area is part of two hydrological sub-watersheds (Shirin and Masha) where erosion factors, geology, structural, and hydrological factors affected and shaped the features of the study area, through eroded the upper parts of the crest of the Kirkuk structure which represents the northern and northeastern boundary of the basin led to the entry of water into the study area easily, which came from the areas of the two upstreams. It is clear from the morphometric results that the two sub-watersheds still have a lot of time to complete their erosion cycle.