SWE-351
Watershed Characteristics: Geo
morphology , Objectives of watershed
Management
B. Areal aspects
• B.1 Watershed Shape
• The shape of a watershed influences the shape of its
characteristic hydrograph. For example, a long shape
(fern leaf- shape) watershed generates, for the same
rainfall, a lower outlet flow, as the concentration
time is higher. A watershed having a circular shape
(fan-shape) presents a lower concentration time, and
it generates higher flow.
Fan shaped shaped watershed
Fern leaf shaped watershed
Q
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• B.2 Form factor (Ff): It determines about the shape
of the basin. Form factor is defined as the ratio of
basin area to the square of the basin length.
Ef = Aw.Lb-2
Where, Aw= basin area
Lb= basin length
• B.3 Circularity ratio (Rc): Circulatory ratio (Rc) is
estimated as the ratio of the basin area (Aw) to the
area of a circle (Ac) having circumference equal to the
perimeter of the basin.
Perimeter of circle Pc = πD : (Dc = diameter of circle)
Ac =πDc2/4 = π2Dc2/4π = Pc2/4π
Pc = Pw
Ac= Pw2/4π
Rc = Aw/Ac = 4πAw/Pw2
• B.4 Elongation ratio (Re): It is the ratio between the diameter of
the circle of the same area as the drainage basin and the maximum
length of the basin.
Re = Dc/Lbm
Where, Re = Elongation ratio, dimensionless.
Dc = Diameter of circle having same area as the given drainage basin,
m.
Lbm = Maximum basin length parallel to the principle drainage lines, m
Aw = πDc2/4
Dc = (4Aw/π)0.5
Re = Dc/Lb = [(4Aw/π)0.5]/Lbm
High Re values indicate that the areas are having high infiltration
capacity and low runoff. Values nearing 1.0 are typical of regions of
low relief, whereas values in the range of 0.6 to 0.8 are generally
associated with strong relief and steep ground slopes.
• B.5 Compactness Coefficient (Cc) is defined as
ratio of perimeter of watershed (Pw) to the
perimeter of circle having area equal to area
of watershed (Pc)
Cc = Pw/Pc
Ac=ΠDc2/4 , Ac=Aw
Dc=(4Aw/Π)0.5 ; Pc=ΠDc ;
Pc = Π (4Aw/Π)0.5 = (4 Π Aw)0.5
Cc= Pw /(4πAw)0.5
• B.6 Drainage density (Dd): It is the ratio of
total length of channels of all orders in the
basin to the drainage area of the basin.
• B.7 Constant of channel maintenance(C): It is
the ratio between the area of the drainage
basin and total length of all the channels,
expressed as square meter per meter. It is also
equal to reciprocal of drainage density (Dd).
• C=1/Dd
• B.8 Stream frequency (Sf): Stream frequency
is defined as the total number of stream
segments of all orders per unit area.
m
N u
Sf u 1
Aw
Where, Σ Nu = Total no of stream segment.
Aw = Watershed area.
• B.9 Drainage factor (Df): It is ratio of stream
frequency to the square of drainage density.
Sf
Df
Dd2
C. Relief aspects
C.1. Maximum Relief (H): It is the maximum vertical
difference between highest and lowest point in the
watershed. Relief is an indicative of the potential energy of
a given watershed above a specified datum available to
move water and sediment down slope.
C.2. Maximum basin relief: It is elevation difference between
basin outlet and highest point located on the perimeter of
basin.
C.3. Relief Ratio: It is the ratio of relief (H) to the horizontal
distance (L) on which relief was measured.
Rh = H/L
• C.4. Relative Relief(Rr): It is the ratio of maximum
watershed relief to the perimeter of watershed.
Rr = (H/Pw)×100P
H = Maximum basin relief, m
Pw = Basin perimeter, m.
• C.5. Ruggedness numbers (Rn): Ruggedness
number (Rn) is a product of relief (H) and
drainage density (Dd) in the same unit. The areas
of low relief but high drainage density are
regarded as ruggedly textured as areas of higher
relief having less dissection.
• Rn = H×Dd
The different objectives of watershed management programs are:
1. To control damaging runoff and degradation and thereby
conservation of soil and water.
2. To manage and utilize the runoff water for useful purpose.
3. To protect, conserve and improve the land of watershed for more
efficient and sustained production.
4. To protect and enhance the water resource originating in the
watershed.
5. To check soil erosion and to reduce the effect of sediment yield in
the watershed.
6. To rehabilitate the deteriorating lands.
7. To moderate the floods peaks at downstream areas.
8. To increase infiltration of rainwater.
9. To improve and increase the production of timbers, fodder and
livestock resources.
10. To enhance the ground water recharge, wherever applicable.
