TITLE:
Delineation of Morphometric Attributes of Ajaokuta River Basin in Nigeria Using Earth Observation System Based Data and GIS
AUTHORS:
Udo E. Ahuchaogu, Oliver C. Ojinnaka, Akajiaku C. Chukwuocha, Uchenna U. Duru, Okwudiri J. Ugwu, Chukwuemeka O. Godswill
KEYWORDS:
Morphometric, Hydrology, Drainage, Watershed, SRTM
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.8,
August
25,
2022
ABSTRACT: In contemporary times, the pace of climatic changes is increasing at an alarming rate, therefore there is a need to adopt the most reliable technologies to monitor and sustain our environments. Therefore, the aim of this study is to define the morphometric attributes of Ajeokuta River Basin using earth observation system based data in geographic information system environment. Morphometric characterization of the basin has been carried out to understand the spatial variations in morphometric parameters and evaluate hydrological, geological and topographical attributes by analyzing SRTM DEM data using ArcGIS10.5. Surface analysis, linear and areal morphometric attributes of the catchment has been derived and Strahler (1964) stream order method was used for stream ordering. Drainage attributes such as stream order, stream number, stream length, mean stream length, Bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency circulatory ratio form factor, elongation ratio, etc, have been calculated in order to understand the environmental processes in the watershed. Investigation revealed that the river basin is a 4th order basin, with 1st order streams mostly dominating. Results revealed that there are one (1) fourth order streams, three (3) third order streams, twelve (12) second order streams and forty-one (41) first order streams. Further morphometric assessments revealed that the basin has a drainage density of 0.1125 km-1, stream frequency of 0.0105, circulatory ratio of 0.765, elongation ratio of 0.960, form factor of 0.729, basin length of 84 km, 57 streams with a total stream length of 607 kilometers draining and area of 5393 square kilometers. These geometric attributes attest that the basin is drainage course textured, oval in shape and of low discharge potential. These results are invaluable for watershed management, agricultural land-use planning, flood and erosion analysis and control and for sustainable environmental planning and development within the catchment.