Insights into the morphometric characteristics of the Himalayan River using remote sensing and GIS techniques: a case study of Saryu basin, Uttarakhand, India

The watershed’s hydrological response behavior can be elucidated by studying its various morphometric parameters with geographic information system (GIS) tools. The Saryu River, one of the major tributaries of the Ganga River system, was analyzed for a detailed study using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER-30 m) data and topographic sheets of Survey of India. In total, 19 watersheds are identified within the basin for calculating the morphometric parameters in the linear, aerial, and relief directions. The total drainage area of the basin is 754.23 km2. Overall, the drainage pattern is dendritic to sub-dendritic and its topography, the underlying geology, and the rainfall all influence it. The study area is designated as a 6th-order basin having 3070 stream numbers with a cumulative length of 2912.44 km. The bifurcation ratio varies from 0.50 to 10, while the drainage density ranges from 0.94 to 1.33 km/km2. The physiography and the lithology of the region profoundly impact its stream order. The shape index, shape factor, and compactness coefficient indicate that the basin has moderate tectonic activity with moderate basin lag times and will take longer for peak flow to occur. In light of the study area’s relief characteristics, it has moderate to steep slopes, consequently experiencing low to moderate soil erosion. The study results can be used to formulate strategies for sustainable basin management.