Estimation of Sediment Yield of Govindsagar Catchment, Lalitpur District, (U.P.), India, Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
ABSTRACT
Soil erosion is a global
phenomenon, which results in sedimentation and siltation of reservoirs of major
rivers. Remote sensing data provide a synoptic view from which several surface
parameters can be derived to assess the sedimentation yield in the reservoirs.
Hence estimation of sediment yield has become one of the important tasks for
planners, engineers and decision makers. The present study in Govindsagar
catchment, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (India), has been carried out using IRS LISS III
data to analyse land use/cover characteristics besides drainage basin
characterstics. Subsequently, Sediment Yield Index (SYI) of Govindsagar
catchment has been estimated using surface derivatives and morphometric
parameters using empirical formulae. Integration of results obtained from
satellite data and morphometric analysis suggests that the Govindsagar
catchment has very low rate of sediment yield i.e. 0.07 ha·m/year
indicating a gentle slope and sustainable land use
practices in the catchment. Low sediment yield also suggests less erosion in
the catchment areas and healthy land use/cover scenario.