Sapahi river is a very small tributary of river Swarnrekha river system. It’s just 15 km far away from main capital and functional region of Ranchi. In the lower portion of river Sapahi, Rukka dam is major water reservoir for water supply in Ranchi capital. The case study considered as try to prove river’s natural behavior. Thus it is a macro level field based research, there is very less possibility to acquire micro level field data. River rises from the up land of the northwest, area characterized by rocky explore and mainly forest with Sal. In monsoon season, river gives huge water mass, where as in winter it converts in a small stream. River deposits alluvial materials each year in maximum fluvial year. River morphometry and their related characteristics such as channel morphometry, drainage density and basin configuration are try to represent through different data and real environment calculation.
This paper is considered to explore some specific characteristics of very small river system, that how Sapahi river system behaving with their surface configuration.
Table of Contents
1.1 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA
1.2 MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS
1.3 LINEAR ASPECTS OF THE BASIN
1.3.1 STREAM ORDERING
1.3.2 BIFURCATION RATIO (Rb)
1.3.3 LAW OF STREAM NUMBERS
1.3.4 LENGTH RATIO AND LAW OF STREAM LENGTH
1.3.5 SINUOSITY INDICES
1.3.6 MEANDER PROPERTIES
1.3.7 STREAM JUNCTION ANGLES
2.2. AREAL ASPECTS OF THE BASIN
2.2.1. GEOMETRY OF BASIN SHAPE
2.3. LAW OF BASIN PERIMETER, BASIN LENGTH AND BASIN AREA
2.3.1. AREA RATIO (Ra)
2.3.2. LAW OF BASIN AREA
2.3.3. DRAINAGE DENSITY
2.3.4. DRAINAGE TEXTURE
2.4 RELIEF ASPECTS OF THE BASIN
2.4.1 HYPSOMETRIC ANALYSIS
2.4.2 CLINOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
2.4.3 AVERAGE SLOPE
2.5. CHANNEL GEOMETRY OR CROSS-SECTION CHARACTERISTICS
2.5.1. CHANNEL LENGTH:
2.5.2. CHANNEL WIDTH:
2.5.3. CHANNEL DEPTH:
2.5.4. CHANNEL SLOPE:
2.5.5. HYDRAULIC GEOMETRY:
2.5.6. CHANNEL BED TOPOGRAPHY:
2.5.7. CHANNEL TYPES:
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to perform a morphometric analysis of the Sapahi River Basin, exploring its natural behavior and how the river system interacts with its surface configuration. The research evaluates specific characteristics of this small river system through field-based observations and quantitative measurements to understand its drainage patterns and fluvial processes.
- Morphometric attributes including linear, areal, and relief aspects.
- Seasonal variations in hydraulic geometry and stream discharge.
- Geological control of the hard-rock plateau on river path and channel development.
- Classification of channel types and meandering properties.
Excerpt from the Book
2.5.5. HYDRAULIC GEOMETRY:
The analysis of the relationships among stream discharge, velocity, cahnnel shape, sediment load, channel width, channel depth, channel slope etc. called hydraulic geometry of a river channel. Discharging means outlet system (network) of water mass through forming gullies, channels and main streams flows up to mouth of huge water collection centre, evaporation and sipping toward downward (underground water). Average discharge of river can be calculated as following way:
Discharge Q = w x d x v
Where w = channel width, d = average channel depth, v = average velocity
23/04/09 (summer season): Width 2.7 feet
Depth 2.3 feet
Velocity 0.6 feet / sec
Discharge: 2.7x2.3x0.6 = 3.726 CFS
09/07/09 (Rainy season): Width 41 feet
Depth 25.6 feet
Velocity 1.8 feet / sec
Discharge: 41x25.6x1.2 = 1,469.44 CFS
Summary of Chapters
1.1 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA: Describes the geographical positioning of the Sapahi River Basin within the Chottanagpur plateau and its significance to the Ranchi capital region.
1.2 MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS: Introduces the conceptual framework for analyzing the physical configuration and 3D features of the fluvial drainage basin.
1.3 LINEAR ASPECTS OF THE BASIN: Analyzes the topological characteristics of the drainage network, including stream ordering, bifurcation ratios, and meandering properties.
2.2. AREAL ASPECTS OF THE BASIN: Focuses on the spatial distribution of attributes like basin area and the geometry of the basin shape using various mathematical factors.
2.3. LAW OF BASIN PERIMETER, BASIN LENGTH AND BASIN AREA: Examines the quantitative relationships between basin area, perimeter, and channel length, and how they evolve between stream orders.
2.4 RELIEF ASPECTS OF THE BASIN: Discusses the vertical dimension of the terrain, utilizing hypsometric and clinographic analyses to understand erosion cycles.
2.5. CHANNEL GEOMETRY OR CROSS-SECTION CHARACTERISTICS: Details the physical dimensions of the river channel, including width, depth, slope, and hydraulic geometry, and classifies the channel types present.
Keywords
Bifurcation ratio, Lithological, Hypsometric Curves, Channel Geometry, Clinographic, Thalwag, Sapahi River, Drainage Density, Ranchi Plateau, Stream Ordering, Meandering, Hydraulic Geometry, Fluvial Geomorphology, Basin Morphometry, Drainage Network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper provides a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the Sapahi River Basin, investigating its physical characteristics and how the river responds to the surface configuration of the Ranchi plateau.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this study?
The research employs a three-tier approach consisting of image interpretation, intensive field surveys, and laboratory investigation, alongside geospatial techniques for landform analysis.
How is the drainage pattern of the Sapahi River described?
The study identifies the drainage pattern of the Sapahi River as dendritic, with a general slope towards the north-northwest to south-southeast direction.
What are the central themes covered in the morphometric analysis?
The analysis focuses on linear aspects (stream ordering, bifurcation ratios), areal aspects (basin shape, drainage density), and relief aspects (hypsometric and clinographic analysis).
How does the river's behavior change with the seasons?
The Sapahi River shows significant seasonal variation; it is a small stream in winter but carries a huge volume of water during the monsoon season, which directly impacts discharge rates and channel width.
Does the lithology of the region impact the river's development?
Yes, the study concludes that the hard batholithical surface of the Ranchi plateau restricts the river's ability to change its path compared to alluvial rivers, proving that the degradational behavior is tied to lithological characteristics.
What is the importance of the stream junction angle data?
Stream junction angles are analyzed to understand the angular properties of the drainage network and the deviation of flow directions within the basin.
How did the author calculate the hydraulic geometry of the river?
The author calculated hydraulic geometry by measuring channel width, depth, and velocity during specific seasonal dates to derive the discharge (Q) in cubic feet per second (CFS).
- Citation du texte
- Rajesh Kumar Mahato (Auteur), 2009, Morphometric Analysis of Sapahi River Basin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/205630
