Morphometric analysis of the River basin in Al-Najaf Governorate, southwest of IRAQ, using remote sensing and GIS

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of morphometric drainage systems is essential for understanding hydrological and ecological interactions and processes in river basins. This study focuses on the quantitative characteristics of river morphometry in the watershed using geospatial techniques. This study uses the ALOS World 3D Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and topographic maps of Iraq to identify Iraq's main basins, sub-basins, slopes, drainage networks, relief, and drainage patterns, flow sequences, and flow lengths. We have described the characteristics of drainage systems such as: sub-basin. Basin using software ArcGIS ProV.3.0.2. The analysis of the physical characteristics of a watershed, the so-called morphometric analysis, involves the study of the hydrological processes occurring in the watershed. These processes include basin frequency, bifurcation ratio, circulation ratio, and length of overland flow in the catchment, as well as many other parameters. The aim of this study is to understand how they influence the regional morphological landscape and to examine the contribution of watersheds to the water cycle. Quantitative measurements of these features provide researchers with insight into the shape, size, and hydrological status of watersheds. Furthermore, elevation survey analysis is used to quantitatively understand the geomorphological features and maturity of the basin. The relationships between morphometric parameters indicate that the drainage network is strongly influenced by the geological and geomorphological structure of the region. According to the morphometric analysis, the basin is of the seventh order and contains seven subbasins, of which three are of the sixth order and five are of the fifth order.