Drainage Density Mapping Using ArcGIS in the Liwiec Watershed

Abstract

In recent years, GIS methods have been successfully applied to determine watershed characteristics and shape. Drainage density, the total length of streams per unit area, impacts surface hydrology and reflects climatic effects on terrain. It is associated with hydrologic processes like infiltration, soil saturation, and runoff. This paper aims to enhance processing time and accuracy in determining drainage density using GIS. By applying various GIS functions, a grid network from a digital elevation model is converted to a vector file, revealing the drainage density of the Liwiec watershed. Higher drainage density correlates with lower infiltration rates and higher surface flow velocity, often indicating more sediment transport, higher flood peaks, steep slopes, and low agricultural potential. The study’s findings support future management planning in the area.