GIS Integrated Approach for Drainage Morphometric Assessment of Upper Kosi Watershed, Uttarakhand, India

IJEP 45(11): 1049-1060 : Vol. 45 Issue. 11 (November 2025)

Full Text

Mahendra Singh1, Sana Rafi1, Ashutosh Singh1 and D.S. Parihar2

1. H.N.B Garhwal University (Central University), Department of Geography, School of Earth Science, S.R.T Campus, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand – 249 199, India
2. Kumaun University, Department of Geography, D.S.B. Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand – 263 002, India

Abstract

Quantitative estimation of drainage morphometry is crucial for understanding water-environment interactions in a specific area. This study concentrates on measuring the drainage features of the upper Kosi watershed (UKW) in the lesser Himalayas. DEM data and topographical maps are used to assess the basin’s linear, aerial and relief morphometric parameters. Results indicate that the UKW spans an area of 463.45 km2, is less elongated (Re=0.66) and has a total stream length of 1527.35 km across all stream orders. The basin is in a young stage (Rc=0.03), with stream patterns influenced by physiographic and lithological features. The watershed has a drainage density of 3.29 km/km2, suggesting a coarse texture. Overall, this study demonstrates that remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) are valuable tools because of their relevance, cost-effectiveness and accuracy in geospatial morphometric analysis of hydrological units. The study strongly recommends similar research in the Himalayan region to better understand the hydro-geomorphological behaviour of basins, draw specific conclusions and guide development planning.

Keywords

Upper Kosi watershed, Geographic information system (GIS), Drainage morphometry, Lesser Himalaya, Remote sensing (RS)

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