Hypsometric Analysis for Assessing Erosion Status of Watershed Using Geographical Information System

Abstract

Assessment of erosion status of the watershed is an essential prerequisite of an integrated watershed management programme. It helps in selecting suitable conservation measures to check erosion and conserve water as well as in devising best management practices in the watersheds. The geological stages of development and erosion proneness of the watersheds can be quantified by hypsometric integral. Hypsometric integral is estimated by graphical plot of the measured contour elevation and encompassed area using empirical formulae. In present study, Gusuru River watershed falling in Tons River basin located in Panna and Satna districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, was selected. The watershed was delineated into fourteen sub-watersheds and hypsometric analysis was carried out for all the sub-watersheds using digital contour maps generated in Arc/Info GIS. The hypsometric integral values of all the sub-watersheds of Gusuru River watershed range between 0.20 and 0.71. In the study area, all the three stages of erosion cycle development namely monadnock, equilibrium and youthful stages are identified.