2morphological Characteristics of Watershed

Morphological Characteristics of Watershed
Md. Sanaul Islam

Professor
SWE Discipline
Khulna University
Watershed Morphology
2
Parameters & Methods of Determination
Sl. Parameters Methods of Determination
1. Relief ratio Total relief/Total stream length (Schumn,1956)
2. Bifurcation Ratio Horton,1945
3. Drainage density Total lengths of streams/basin area
4. Stream frequency No. of stream segments /basin area
5. Drainage intensity Drainage density + stream frequency
6. Form factor Basin area/ (basin length)2 (Black,1991)
3
7. Elongation ratio Diameter of a circle having the same area as basin/
basin length (Schumn,1956)
8. Circularity ratio Basin area/area of a circle having circumference
equal to the basin perimeter. (Miller,1953)
9. Basin relief Altitude difference between highest and lowest
point
10. Relative relief Basin relief/ basin perimeter (Schumn, 1956)
4

11. Compaction ratio Basin perimeter/perimeter of the circle having the same as
basin area. (Strahler,1964)
12. Texture topography No of tributaries/basin perimeter
13. Relief gradient Mean elevation-min elevation/maximum elevation –min
elevation (Pike and Wilson, )
14. Width-length ratio Maximum width of the basin/ maximum length of the basin
(Al-Saud, 2009)
15. Ruggedness no Basin relief + drainage density (Melton, 1957, Strahler,1958)
5

16. Maximum relief Highest elevation-lowest elevation
17. Length of overland flow ½ of the reciprocal of drainage density (Horton,1945)
18. Wandering ratio Mainstream length/ basin length
19. Fitness ratio Stream length/ length of basin perimeter (Melton, 1957)
20. Unit shape factor Basin length/ (basin area) ½ (Surken,1967)
6
21. Basin shape factor Mainstream length/ diameter of a circle having the area as the basin
(Wu, et al., 1964)
22. Constant of stream Inverse of drainage density
maintenance (Schumn, 1956)
23. Volume of P=Ac(M)*Pr(M),
precipitated water where P=precipitated water, Ac=catchment size, Pr = average precipitation
(Al-Saud, 1958)
**Note: All other parameters computed by Integrated Land and Water Information
System (ILWIS)
7
Important Morphological Properties of Watershed
A. Linear Aspects
1) Stream order: Based on Strahler’s (1964) method, the streams are given
order designation.
 It is an approach for categorizing the streams into different orders as per the
sequence of their origin. A basis for dividing the entire area of a watershed
for grouping stream-wise.
 For stream ordering the watershed map containing the stream network is
essential.
 The smallest finger-type tributaries are designated order 1, where two
first-order channels join, a channel segment of order 2 is formed; where
two channels of order 2 join a segment of order 3 is formed; and so forth.
8
A. Linear Aspects
1) Stream order:
 Rule-1: The fingertips like streams are taken first for ordering. These are provided
stream order –1st.
 Rule-2: When two same-order streams join together the resulting steam will be of
the next higher order. Say for example, if Stream A and B of 1st order join
together the order of resulting stream C will be of 2nd order.
 Rule-3: If a lower order stream joins to a higher order stream the order of the
resulting stream will be the same, i.e., remain the higher order as it is.
9
A. Linear Aspects : a) Stream order:  When a higher-order

stream joins with a lower-
order stream, the order of
the resulting stream is the
same as that of the higher-
order stream.
 The highest order of stream

segment is the main stream
through which all discharge
of runoff and sediment
pass. The study area is the
4th-order watershed. 10
2. Stream number(Nu): the number of stream segments present

in each order is counted and recorded.
 The number of streams of any order u is fewer than for the next lower
order, but more in numbers than the next higher order, i.e, u-1>u>u+1.
 It states that the number of streams of each order forms an inverse
geometric sequence with the stream order number. It is expressed as,
 Stream number of a given order u, 𝑵𝒖 = 𝑹𝑲−𝒖
𝒃 .........................(i)
Where,
• Nu = Number of steam of order u, Rb = Bifurcation ratio, and K = trunk order of
stream segment in the watershed
11
Important Morphological Properties (1. stream order)
Stream no. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Stream order 120 75 36 12 3 1
12
2. Bifurcation ratio (Rb): the ratio between the number of stream

segments of a given order (Nu) to the number of segments of
the next higher order(Nu+1) is termed as bifurcation ratio.
𝑵𝒖
 Thus, Bifurcation ratio, 𝑹𝒃 = .........................(ii)
𝑵𝒖+𝟏
 It indicates the shape of the basin and understanding the runoff
behavior of the watershed, and it is a useful measure for the flooding-
prone area.
 A high bifurcation ratio indicates
 a short concentration time and
 a high probability of flooding.
13
Important Physiographic/Morphological Properties
 Problem (1)
• Under the morphological study of a watershed the following details have been collected:
i) The total number of 1st-order streams = 35 ii) Trunk order stream = 3. Determine the
bifurcation ratio of the watershed.
 Solution:
• Using the following formula for the bifurcation ratio,
 𝑁𝑢 = 𝑅𝑏𝐾−𝑢 .........................(iii)
In which,
• 𝑁𝑢 is the number of streams of order u. In the present case, it is taken as 1st order, and the
total number is given as 35;
• K is the trunk order stream 3 and
• u is the order of stream given as 1.
• Substituting the values in the above formula and solving, we have,
 35 = 𝑅𝑏3−1
 𝑅𝑏 = 35 = 𝟓. 𝟗𝟐 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
14
 Problem (2) : Using the following data set predict the shape of three
different watersheds based on the bifurcation ratio.
Sl no. Parameter Watershed
A B C
1. Number of stream order u (Nu) 25 20 14
2. Number of stream order u+1 (Nu+1) 1 3 5
 Solution:
𝑵𝒖
 Using the following equation-(ii) for the bifurcation ratio 𝑹𝒃 =
𝑵𝒖+𝟏
15
 Accordingly, the computed Rb is shown below:
Sl. no. Parameter Watershed
A B C
1 Number of stream order u (Nu) 25 20 14
2 Number of stream order u+1 (Nu+1) 1 3 5
3 Bifurcation ratio 25 6.66 2.80
 The computed value of the bifurcation ratio of watersheds A, B and C advocates the
following views about their shapes,
Sl. no. Parameter Watershed
A B C
2 Watershed Elongated or leaf Semi-elongated Semi-circular
shape shape shape 16
3. Stream length ratio (L): It is the ratio of the mean length of stream
segments of a given order to the mean length of segments of the next
higher order. The total length, as well as the mean length (L) of each
order, may be computed.
 The law of stream length states that the mean length of the stream segment of
successive order basin approximates a direct geometric sequence represented by
the following expression,
𝐿𝑢 = 𝐿1 𝑅𝑙𝑢−1 ......................(iv)
In which 𝐿𝑢 is the mean length of stream of order u; 𝐿1 is the mean length of stream of
𝐿𝑢
order 1; 𝑅𝑙 is the length ratio. The length ratio is given as under, 𝑅𝑙 = ……………(v)
𝐿𝑢−1
17
B. Aerial aspects
1) Drainage area:
 The area of a watershed is also known as the drainage area and it is the most
important watershed characteristic for hydrologic analysis.
 The runoff from a watershed is generated after the interaction of precipitation with
the watershed area.
 The watershed area is an important parameter in the hydrological model to estimate
the volume of runoff.
 The area of a watershed is delineated either manually using toposheets or through a
digital elevation model derived using a geographic information system (GIS).
 Once the watershed has been delineated, its area can be determined using a
planimeter or can be approximated using GIS.
18
B. Aerial aspects
2) Drainage density:
 Drainage density of a watershed is the ratio of the cumulative length of streams of all
orders existing in the watershed to the total area of the watershed projected on the
horizontal plane.
𝑘 𝑁
𝑖=1 𝐿𝑢
 It is expressed by the following expression, 𝐷𝑑 = 𝑖=1
......................(vi)
𝐴𝑘
In which,
𝑫𝒅 is the drainage density of a watershed (km per sq km); 𝑨𝒌 is the drainage area of the
trunk order stream, which refers to the total area of the watershed.
 Drainage density varies among watersheds.
19
Problem 3. The order-wise stream lengths of two different watersheds are given as under.
Determine drainage density and narrate which watershed is dominated by overland flow,
and why. Particulars Watershed - A Watershed - B
Stream Order 1 2 3 1 2 3 4
Stream Length, m 500 210 55 3500 2350 1900 750
Watershed Area, ha 100 100
 Solution:
 By using the following formula for drainage density:
𝑲
𝒊=𝟏 𝑳𝒖𝒊
𝑫𝒅 = ……………………..(vii)
𝑨𝒖
In which, for Watershed – A.
𝑲
𝒊=𝟏 𝑳𝒖𝒊 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎 + 𝟐𝟏𝟎 + 𝟓𝟓 = 𝟕𝟔𝟓 𝒎 & 𝑨𝒖 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒉𝒂
20
Substituting the value of the parameter in the above formula and solving we
have,
𝟕𝟔𝟓
= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟔𝟓 𝒎−𝟏
𝟏𝟎𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
For watershed – B.
𝑲
𝑳𝒖𝒊 = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝟎 + 𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟎 + 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟎 + 𝟕𝟓𝟎 = 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒎 & 𝑨𝒖 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒉𝒂

𝒊=𝟏
𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟎
𝑫𝒅 = = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝒎−𝟏
𝟏𝟎𝟎∗𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
On comparison of drainage density of both the watersheds, it is found that the

watershed – A comprises very less value of drainage density than the watershed-B,
which signifies the watershed –A to be under more influence of overland flow.
21
B. Aerial aspects
3) Stream Frequency:
 It is defined as the ratio of the cumulative number of streams of all orders
to the total area of the watershed, expressed by the following formula:
𝑘
𝑖=1 𝑁𝑢
𝐹= ………………..(viii)
𝐴𝑘
 Associated parameters have already been defined above. This

morphological parameter is used for assessing the stream network of
watershed.
22
Problem 4. The order-wise number of streams of a given watershed is mentioned below.
Determine the stream frequency.
Stream Order 1 2 3 4
Stream Length (m) 450 175 30 1
Watershed area (ha) 100
Solution: The formula for drainage density is given as under:
𝑘
𝑖=1 𝑁𝑢
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝐹 = ………………………..(ix)
𝐴𝑘
𝑘
Where, 𝑖=1 𝑁𝑢 = 450 + 175 + 30 + 1 = 656 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑘 = 100 ℎ𝑎
656
𝐹= = 6.56 × 10−4 𝑚−𝟏
100∗10000
23
Problem 5. A watershed comprises a drainage density of 0.005 m-1. Calculate the length of
the overland flow of the watershed, if its channel slope is 0.5% and the average ground
slope is 1.5%.
Solution: The formula for the length of overland flow, accounting for the effect of channel
0.005 slope and average ground slope, is given as under:
1
𝐿𝑔 = 𝜃
………………..(x)
2×𝐷𝑑 1−𝜃 𝑐
𝑔
• In which 𝐷𝑑 is the drainage density of the watershed (0.005 m-1); 𝜃𝑐 is the slope of the
channel (0.005) and 𝜃𝑔 is the average ground slope of the watershed is given as 0.015.
• Substituting these values in the above formula and solving, we have,
1
𝐿𝑔 = = 122 m (𝑨𝒏𝒔)
0.005
2×0.005 1−0.015 24
B. Aerial aspects
 Basin Relief: Basin relief represents the elevation difference between the
highest point on the drainage divide and the outlet point of the subbasin.
 The relief of a watershed refers to the difference in elevation between
the highest point on the drainage divide (the boundary separating one
watershed from another) and the outlet point of the subbasin.
 In other words, it represents the vertical distance from the highest peak
within the watershed to the lowest point where water flows out of the
basin.
25
B. Aerial aspects
 Relief Ratio: It is the ratio of relief to the horizontal distance on which relief
is measured.
 Maximum Basin Relief: It is the elevation difference between the basin
outlet and the highest point located at the perimeter of the basin.
 Relative Relief: It is the ratio of maximum basin relief to the basin
𝑯
perimeter, expressed as under, 𝑹𝒉𝒑 = × 100………………..(xi)
𝑷
In which, 𝑅ℎ𝑝 is the relative relief (%); H is the maximum basin relief (m) and P is the basin
perimeter (m)
26
Relief
27
Basin relief
Problem 6. A watershed of 100ha size has been surveyed for determining its relief status.
The measured elevations in different aspects are given as under:
a) Elevation of watershed out let= 12.5m
b) Elevation of the highest point located at watershed boundary =7.75m
c) Elevation of highest point within boundary = 9.75m
d) Elevation of lowest point within watershed = 11.35m
Determine the followings:

i. Maximum relief and
ii. Maximum basin relief.
28
Basin relief
 Solution
Computations are presented as under:
• 1. Maximum relief- It is the elevation difference between the highest and
lowest points located within the watershed. Accordingly,
 Rmax = 11.35 ̶ 9.75
= 1.60m Ans.
• 2. Maximum basin relief- It is the elevation difference between the basin outlet
and the highest point located at the watershed perimeter. Accordingly,
 Rbmax = 12.5 ̶ 7.75
= 4.75m Ans
29
Basin relief
Problem 7. In a watershed, the elevations of the highest points (A) and the
lowest point (B) are 12.50 and 15.50m, respectively. Determine the relief
ratio, if the horizontal distance between both points is 1500m.
 Solution;
𝐻
Relief ratio is presented by the following relationship, 𝑅ℎ = 𝐿
In which, H is the relief, the elevation difference between the highest and
lowest points (15.5- 12.5m) =3.0m and
L is the horizontal distance between both the points is given as 1500m.
Accordingly,
3
• 𝑅ℎ = = 0.002 𝑨𝒏𝒔.
1500 30
Basin relief
Problem 8. Determine the value of relative relief of a watershed, if the
maximum basin relief is 3.75m and the perimeter of the drainage basin is
1250m.
 Solution:
Using the following formula for relative relief of watershed,
𝐻
𝑅ℎ𝑝 = × 100
𝑃
• In which, H is the maximum basin relief, given as 3.75m and P is the
perimeter of the watershed is 1250. Therefore,
3.75
• 𝑅ℎ𝑝 = × 100
1250
= 0.30% 𝐴𝑛𝑠
31
Basin relief
Problem 9. The elevation of the outlet and the highest point located at the basin perimeter is
15.0 and 11.45m, respectively. The length of the basin perimeter is 2.55km. Determine the
value of maximum basin relief and relative relief of the watershed.
 Solution:
a) Maximum basin relief: It is the elevation difference between the basin outlet and the
highest point located at the watershed perimeter. Accordingly, 15-11.45=3.55m Ans.
𝑯
b) Relative relief- It is given by the following formula, 𝑅ℎ𝑝= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑷
In which, H is the maximum basin relief, given as 3.55m and P is the perimeter of the
watershed is 2550m. Therefore,
𝟑.𝟓𝟓
• 𝑅ℎ𝑝= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟐𝟓𝟓𝟎
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒 𝐀𝐧𝐬 32
Basin shape
 The computed value of bifurcation ratio of watersheds A, B and C advocates following
views about their shapes,
Sl. No. Parameter Watershed

A B C
2 Number of stream order of u+1 1 3 5
4 Shapes of the watersheds Elongated or leaf Semi-elongated Approaching Semi-
shape shape circular
33
Basin shape
 Problem (2) Using following data set predict the shape of three different
watersheds based on bifurcation ratio.
A B C
𝑁𝑢
 Solution- Using following formula for bifurcation ratio, 𝑅𝑏 =
𝑁𝑢+1
Accordingly, the computed bifurcation ratio are shown below:

A B C
3 Bifurcation ratio 25 6.66 2.80 34
Basin Rainfall
 Problem (1)- The rainfall intensity vs time data derived from the mass curve of a specific rainfall event is
given as under:
Determine the depth of rainfall of the rain event. Using the data; calculate the depth of effective
rainfall if average loss of rainwater during rainfall duration is @2.50cm/h.
Solution- The relationship between rainfall intensity and time is the hyetograph. Area of hyetograph
represents the depth of rainfall. Calculation is shown in following table.
Effective rainfall depth = (Total rainfall depth - Loss of rainwater during rainfall)
= [44.25 – (9 x 2.5)] cm = 21.75cm. Ans 35
Basin Rainfall
 Problem (2)- Using the data of above problem; calculate the depth of effective rainfall if average loss of
rainwater during rainfall duration is @2.50cm/h.
 Solution- Effective rainfall depth is determined by subtracting the loss of rain water during rainfall.
The average loss of rainwater is termed as - index. In this problem the - index is given as
2.50cm/h. Calculation is presented in following table.
Rainfall Time Interval Rainfall Intensity Time Interval Depth of rainfall
(h) (mm/h) (h) (mm)
0.0-1.5 3.50 1.5
1.5 – 3.0 5.25 1.5
3.0 – 4.5 6.00 1.5
4.5 – 6.0 5.00 1.5
6.0 -7.5 6.25 1.5
7.5 – 9.0 3.50 1.5
Total depth of rainfall
36
Runoff Definition and Occurrence
 Runoff is defined as the flow of excess rainwater through a channel, gully,
river or any fluvial path.
 The overland flow is the main input for generating runoff.
 On watershed scale, the rainwater after getting satisfied with the initial
losses such as, abstractions, evapotranspiration, infiltration etc. the
remaining rainfall water is called excess rainfall or effective rainfall, is
converted into a head of water on the ground surface, which attains
motion due to land slope. In result the standing water starts moving down
the slope. This phenomenon is called overland flow. As soon as the
overland flow joins any flow path like channel etc., the runoff takes place.
Since, this flow is through channel; therefore, runoff is also called channel
flow.
 The length of overland flow is limited to a very short distance, normally
maximum up to 150 m.
37
Runoff Classification
 Runoff is classified as 1) Direct runoff, and 2) Indirect runoff.
 Direct Runoff
It is the surface runoff, takes place on the ground surface through the
streams/channels etc. Since, it takes place very soon after the start of a
rainfall event, it is called as the direct runoff. Direct runoff is also known
as surface runoff.
 The interflow, in which the infiltrated rainwater joins to the stream flow
in terms of influent flow, soon after start of rainfall, is also the part of
surface or direct turnoff. The reason behind this is that the time gap
between rainfall occurrence and interflow is very less, say as few
minutes.
 The interflow always takes place above the main ground water- table.
38
Runoff Classification
Runoff is classified as 1) Direct runoff, and 2) Indirect runoff.
Indirect Runoff
This type of runoff takes place below the ground surface. In the course
of occurrence of rainfall a part of rain water which is infiltrated into the
soil media moves downward and joins to the water –table. The joined
rainwater starts moving or flow along with ground water to the other
places in forward direction, called indirect runoff.
Since, this runoff takes place below the ground surface, it is also called
sub-surface runoff. Sometimes, it is also known as the delayed runoff
because of the reason that there is very large gap between occurrence
of rainfall and formation of runoff say for example 1- year or more.
39
Factors Affecting Runoff (pp 32)
 Conceptually, in runoff formation the
rainfall is an input and watershed is the 2) Watershed
system on which rainfall take place, and a) Physiographic factors
runoff is the output. It means that the i. Size
parameters associated to the rainfall ii. Shape
(climate) and watershed affect the iii. Slope
iv. Form factor
runoff yield. v. Compactness factor
 Broadly, the list of factors affecting the vi. Drainage density
runoff are – vii. Stream frequency
viii. Channel length
1) Climatic ix. Channel size
a) Rainfall :
I) Intensity
b) Soil factors
i. Type
Ii) Duration
ii. Depth
Iii) Direction
iii. Slope
a) Temperature
b) Wind velocity c) Land use
c) Humidity 40
 Form Factor-It is defined as the ratio of average width to the axial length of the
watershed.
 Axial length of watershed is the distance between outlet and the remotest point of the watershed.
 Width is determined by dividing the area of watershed by its axial length.
 Compactness factor- It is the ratio of watershed perimeter to the circumference of a
circle which area is equal to the area of watershed. It is given by –
Watershed Perimeter
Compactness factor= Circumference of a circle which area is equal to the area of watershe
=𝟐𝝅𝑨
In which, P is the perimeter and A is the area of watershed.
41
 Problem (1) - Determine form factor and compactness factor of an elongated watershed,
whose axial length is 15000m, average width as 750m, perimeter is 2500m and area is 1.5
km2.
 Form Factor-It is defined as the ratio of average width to the axial length of the watershed.
 Axial length of watershed is the distance between outlet and the remotest point of the watershed.
 Width is determined by dividing the area of watershed by its axial length.
 Compactness factor- It is the ratio of watershed perimeter to the circumference of a circle
which area is equal to the area of watershed. It is given by –
 Compactness factor = Circumference of a circleWatershed Perimeter
whose area is equal to the area of watershed
=
𝑃
2𝜋𝑟

42
 The formula of form factor is given, below
𝐴𝑣𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 750
𝐹𝑓 = = =0.05
𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 15000
 Compactness factor- It is the ratio of watershed perimeter to the circumference of a circle which
area is equal to the area of watershed. It is given by –
Perimeter of the watershec

 Compactness factor, 𝐶𝑓 =
Circumference of he circle whose area is equal to the area of watershed
𝑃 2500
= =
2𝜋𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑨 𝝅𝒓𝟐 =𝑋 𝑋

43
 Here, 𝜋𝑟2=1.5x1000x1000 𝑚2
 r = 691m
 Circumference of circle = 2𝜋r
 = 2x3.14x 691 m
 = 4339.48m
2500
Therefore, 𝐶𝑓 = = 0.576
4339.48
44
Computation of Runoff
• Runoff Computation
• There are host of method and empirical formulae for computing
the runoff from a watershed, few important amongst them are
listed as under,
1) Rational method,
2) SCS method
3) Cooks method
4) Infiltration Indices method
5) Hydrograph method
6) Empirical formulae
45
 Rational Method
• This method computes the peak runoff of small watershed. Peak runoff is required for
design of hydraulic structures such as culverts, bridges, drop structures, and others.
The rational method is appropriate for estimating peak discharge for small drainage
areas of up to about 80 hectares with no significant flood storage. The method
provides the designer with a peak discharge value, but does not provide a time series
of flow nor flow volume. This method follows the hypothesis that,
• 1. Runoff is directly proportional to the area of watershed , and
• 2. Directly proportional to the rainfall intensity
• 3. Rainfall intensity must be for the duration equal to time of concentration of
watershed.
Accordingly, if the area of watershed is A (-) and rainfall intensity for the time equal to
time of concentration of watershed is I then, the equation of peak runoff (𝑄𝑝) is given as
under,
• 𝑄𝑝=𝐶𝐼𝐴
46
 Runoff Coefficient- It is the fraction of total rainfall converted into runoff. In

other terms it is the ratio of Runoff depth and total rainfall depth. Its value is
dimensionless varies from 0 to maximum 1 in which 0 is for soils having very
high rate of infiltration, i.e. there is no excess rainwater available for generating
runoff from the surface. The value of runoff coefficient for sandy soil may be
approaching 1.0 at the beginning of rainfall occurrence when total rain water is
likely to get infiltrated into the soil. And the value of runoff coefficient as 1.0
which is maximum may be for concrete or any hard formation in which the
infiltration of rainwater is about to zero.
 However, the runoff coefficient for use in rational method is cited in Table-
47
 However, the runoff coefficient for use in rational method is cited in Table-
48
• Normally, there is a large variation in soil types , slope gradient,
vegetations in the watershed.
• Because of this reason the selection of single runoff coefficient value is not
accurate. In this condition the consideration of weighted runoff coefficient
is most appropriate, which should be in terms of soil types , types of
vegetations an slope gradient , if so. The formula for determining the
weighted runoff coefficient is mentioned as under,
• 𝐶𝑤=𝐶1𝐴1+𝐶2𝐴2+𝐶3𝐴3+⋯𝐶𝑛𝐴𝑛𝐴
• In which, 𝐶𝑤 is the weighted runoff coefficient, A is the total land area and
C1 … Cn are runoff coefficient for the area A1 ….An .
49
50

2morphological Characteristics of Watershed

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Morphological Characteristics of Watershed

Md. Sanaul Islam

1. Relief ratio Total relief/Total stream length (Schumn,1956)

2. Bifurcation Ratio Horton,1945

3. Drainage density Total lengths of streams/basin area

4. Stream frequency No. of stream segments /basin area

5. Drainage intensity Drainage density + stream frequency

6. Form factor Basin area/ (basin length)2 (Black,1991)

Sl. Parameters Methods of Determination

Sl. Parameters Methods of Determination

20. Unit shape factor Basin length/ (basin area) ½ (Surken,1967)

A. Linear Aspects : a) Stream order:  When a higher-order

 The highest order of stream

2. Stream number(Nu): the number of stream segments present

2. Bifurcation ratio (Rb): the ratio between the number of stream

𝑳𝒖𝒊 = 𝟑𝟓𝟎𝟎 + 𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟎 + 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟎 + 𝟕𝟓𝟎 = 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒎 & 𝑨𝒖 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒉𝒂

On comparison of drainage density of both the watersheds, it is found that the

 Associated parameters have already been defined above. This

Solution: The formula for drainage density is given as under:

Determine the followings:

Sl. No. Parameter Watershed

Accordingly, the computed bifurcation ratio are shown below:

In which, P is the perimeter and A is the area of watershed.

In which, P is the perimeter and A is the area of watershed.

Perimeter of the watershec

In which, P is the perimeter and A is the area of watershed.

 Circumference of circle = 2𝜋r

 Runoff Coefficient- It is the fraction of total rainfall converted into runoff. In

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