Monitoring of Channel Morphology of Ganga River Using Remote Sensing and GIS Data

Abstract

The present study deals with the dynamics of channel morphology of river Ganga in Haridwar region during the last two decades (1992–2019). Land Use/Land cover classification and channel geometry characteristics of river Ganga were assessed using remote sensing and GIS analysis approach. The LULC classification was divided into three classes: River, Dry Riverbed and River Ganga catchment or floodplain covering an area of 8366.22 ha. Moreover, channel geometry was calculated using sinuosity index and geomorphological features. The study area is divided into 10 segments showing the different types of channel patterns. It was found that LULC classification of river banks depends on water flow and seasonal ecological and anthropogenic activities. The channel pattern of river Ganga is modified by natural processes such as heavy rainfall, floods, bank erosion and anthropogenic processes such as dams, riverbed mining and agricultural activities near the banks.