Bhushan R. Lamsoge^1*, Vijesh V. K.², Anil M. Pophare³ and Yashwant B. Katpatal⁴

¹Central Ground Water Board, 1Central Region, Nagpur-440001, India

²Kerla Region, Thiruanantapuram-695004, India

³Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur-440 001, India

⁴Department of Civil Engineering, VNIT, Nagpur-440 010, India

*E-mail: bhushanrl@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Hypsometric analysis of an over exploited watershed (WR-2), situated in a basaltic terrain of Amravati district, Maharashtra has been carried out to determine its vulnerability to erosion and prioritize it for treatment. The WR-2 watershed has been divided into Zari, Chudamani, Shakti, Dhawagiri and Kobi sub-watersheds. The hypsometric integral (Hsi) values by elevation-relief ratio method are more accurate and easy to calculate within GIS environment. The Hsi values of these sub-watersheds vary between 0.23 and 0.29, as calculated by elevation relief-ratio method and 0.23 to 0.26 by integration method. All the sub-watersheds are in monadnock (old) stage and Hsi values of > 0.3 indicate that the watersheds are fully stabilized. The sub-watershed wise priority for the construction of artificial recharge and erosion control structures has been determined based on this study.

Keywords: WR-2 watershed, Hypsometric integral analysis, Erosion proneness, Amravati, India