Morphometric parameter based, watershed prioritization analysis – a geospatial study of umrynjah watershed, meghalaya, india

Abstract

The goal of this study is to identify areas that are best suitable for micro-watershed development by using Morphometric analysis based on Remote Sensing and GIS. Umrynjah River which flows from the Umiam basin situated in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya has been divided into six micro-watersheds. The morphometric parameters used for this purpose are based on the basic, linear and shape aspect of the watershed. The morphometric parameters were analyzed and are further considered for the prioritization analysis. Based upon this, prioritization for each micro-watershed is done by computing the compound factor. The compound factor with the lowest value was considered for higher priority which will require strategies of restoration and response for land management. The two micro-watersheds MWS3 and MWS4 covering an area of 37.66% are given high priority. MWS3 and MWS4 are therefore subjected to maximum erodability and require the need for measures of soil conservation.