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Morphometric analysis using remote sensing techniques in the

Chaka sub-basin, Purulia district, West Bengal

Article  in  Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing · March 1998

DOI: 10.1007/BF03007341

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Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol. 26, No. l&2, 1998

Morphometric Analysis Using Remote Sensing

Techniques in the Chaka Sub-basin,
Purulia District, West Bengal

S K NAG
Department of Geological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Calcutta- 700032

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Introduction Groundwater occurrence at any place on

the earth is not a matter of chance but
Purulia district is located on the eastern consequence of the interactions of climatic,
slope of the Chotanagpur plateau fonning the geomorphic, geologic (including structure)
south western part of the state of West Bengal. factors. A systematic study of these factors leads
The district is bounded on the north by Burdwan to a better delineation of prospective zones in a
and Dhanbad (Bihar) districts, on the east by region. The technology of satellite remote
Bankura, on the south by Midnapore and sensing by providing a synoptic coverage has
Singhbhum (Bihar) districts and on the west by proved to be an indispensible tool in under-
Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts (Bihar). standing the spatial relationships between
70 S.K. Nag
various geologic/geomorphic features. The
regional view provided by the remotely sensed
data reduces the number of traverses and points
of observations to the barest minimum, thus
reducing the cost and time of investigation. On
delineation of prospective zones from satellite
imagery, they are normally followed up on the
ground through detailed hydrogeological and
geophysical investigations and finally, drilling
could be carried out for quantitative assessment
and exploitation.
Purulia is a drought affected district and
lacks adequate water supply even for drinking, in
years of below normal rainfall. In summer
months most of the surface water sources like
tanks, streams etc., go dry and groundwater is
the only source of water supply. Due to scarcity,
irrigational facility is a far cry and cultivation of
more than one crop has so far been not possible.
In this context study o f groundwater resources in
Purulia district assumes a vital significance for
any planning for amelioration of the living
standards of the people.
The aim of the present study is to delineate
and map the geomorphic features of Chaka sub-
basin in Purulia district, on a regional scale. This
will narrow down the targetting area for further
geophysical exploration for groundwater.
Study Area
The area under investigation forms a part of
Purulia district, West Bengal. It lies between
latitudes of 23°3 ' and 23o12 , N and longitudes of
86o20 ' and 86035 , E and covers an area of 137.5
sq. km. The Chaka river flows from WNW to
SSE through the area and ultimately meets the
Kumari river. The annual rainfall in the area is
about 1.18 m. The temperature in summer goes
upto 40-45 °C and in winter comes down to 15-
20 °C.
The district is underlain by pre-cambrian
metamorphics (Fig. l) excepting a small area in
the north-eastern part where sedimentaries of the
Gondwana age predominate. Unconsolidated
sediments of recent age are restricted to narrow
river channels and to the valleys.
The granitic rocks generally form hills and
mounds. The porphyritic granites show planar
banding of alternate layers of feldspar
phenocrysts and a finer grained assemblage of
quartz, feldspar and accessories conforming
generally to the structural trends of the schistose
country rocks.
Methodology and Data Used
In the present study base map showing
drainage details have been prepared from
toposheets (SOl), and satellite imagery (IRS-1B,
LISS-II and Landsat). The details of imagery
used for the present study are given in Table I.
Result and Discussion
Remote sensing studies permit the
evaluation of regional structures and their trends.
It also permits preparation of geomorphological
map, delineation of groundwater potential zone.
The drainage pattern and texture can be easily
identified from satellite information of the
terrain analysis. Quantitative description of the
basin geometry (morphometric analysis) requires
measurements of linear features, gradient of
channel network and contributing ground slopes
of the drainage basin. For this, the remote
sensing techniques using satellite imagery are
convenient tools. The photo-interpretation
technique is far less time consuming than the
actual field surveys and coupled with the field
checks may yield valuable results.
Morphometric Analysis
The morphometric parameters measured
and computed manually and presented in Table 2
include Bifurcation ratio (Rb), Stream length
(Lu), Form factor (Rf), Circulatory ratio (R¢) and
Drainage density.
 Morphometric Analysis Using Remote Sensing Techniques in the Chaka Sub-basin... 71

Table 1. Imagery used for preparation of final map showing potential zones of groundwater.

Satellite Path & Row Date of pass Product Scale

Landsat TM (347) D140-044 06 March '86 FCC 1:250,000

Landsat TM (234) D140-044 06 March '87 FCC 1:250,000
Landsat TM (Band 6) D 140-044 26 February '89 B/W 1:250,000
SUNEL-43
IRS LISS-2A (Band 234) P20-R51 13 October '88 FCC 1: 125,000
IRS L1SS-2A (Band 234) P20-R51 27 March '94 FCC 1: 125,000

Table 2. Different parameters for Morphometric Analysis.

Sub- Area Order Nos. Length Bifurcation Stream Form Circulatory Elongation Drainage
Basin (km 2) (u) (N,,) (em) Ratio Length Factor Ratio Ratio Density
1 cm = O.5 km (Rh) (L,,) (R~ (R~) (R~)

Chaka 137.5 ! 27 82 2.07 3.03 0.27 0.27 1.13 0.52

2 13 41 1.95 3.15
3 9 21 - 2.33

Bifurcation Ratio pattern has not been distorted because of the

The term bifurcation ratio (Rb) is used to
express the ratio o f the number o f streams o f any
given order to the number o f streams in the next
higher order. The stream order is a measure of
the position o f a stream in the hierarchy o f the
tributaries (Horton, 1945). The first order
streams are those which have no tributaries. The
second order streams are those which have only
first order streams as tributaries. Similarly, the
third order streams receive first and second order
streams as tributaries, and so on. The lower
bifurcation ratio values are characteristics o f the
watersheds which have suffered less structural
disturbances (Strahler, 1964) and the drainage
structural disturbances. The bifurcation ratio is
indicative o f shape of the basin also. An
elongated basin is likely to have a high R b,
whereas a circular basin is likely to have a low
Rb. The values o f R b indicate that the basin has
suffered less structural disturbances and the
basin is one elongated nature.
Stream Length
Length of the stream is indicative of the
contributing area o f the basin o f that order.
Generally, cumulative length of stream of a
particular order is measured and the mean length
(Lu) o f that order (u) is obtained by dividing
72
cumulative stream length by numbers of
segments of that order (Nu). According to the
Horton's (1945) law of stream length, the plot of
logarithm of stream length (ordinate) as a
function of strean order (abscissa) should yield a
set of points lying essentially along a straight
line Y = 0.057 * X + 0.526666 for this sub-
basin.
Basin Shape
The shape of a basin affects stream flow
hydrographs and peak flows. The important
parameters describing the shape of the basin are
form factor (R0, circulatory ratio (Re) and
elongation ratio (Re). Form factor is defined as
the ratio of the area of the basin to the square of
the length of the basin. Circulatory ratio (Re) is
the ratio between the area of the basin and the
area of the circle having the same perimeter as
that of the basin. Elongation ratio (Re) is the ratio
between the diameter of the circle having the
same area (as that of the basin) and the
maximum length of the basin (Schumm, I956).
The value of form factor would always be less
than 0.7854 (for a perfectly circular basin).
Smaller the value of form factor more elongated
is the basin. In this case, elongated basin with
low form factor indicate that the basin will have
a flatter peak of flow for longer duration. Flood
flows of such elongated basins are easier to
manage than of the circular basins.
Drainage Density
Drainage density is a measure of the length
of the stream segment per unit area. The
calculated values of drainage densities of sub-
basins are given in Table 2. The drainage density
is affected by the factors that control
characteristic length of the stream. The factors
controlling stream length are resistance to
weathering and permeability of rock formations
apart from the climatic and other factors like
vegetation. In general low drainage density is
S.K. Nag
observed in regions of highly resistant or
permeable soil material under vegetative cover
and low relief. High drainage density is observed
in the regions of weak and impermeable
subsurface material and sparse vegetation and
mountainous relief. In the present case, the low
value of drainage density (0.57) indicate the
presence of fractured, resistant permeable rocks.
Geomorphology & Ground Water Prospects
The geomorphological map (Fig. 2) based
on visual methods has been prepared using
satellite imagery of IRS-IB (L1SS-II) and
LANDSAT imagery on a scale of 1:50,000.
Regarding groundwater potential zones, the sites
containing intensive fractures/joints (Fig. 3),
moderately weathered pediplain, valley fills are
the most preferred zones. Besides these,
groundwater in poor to moderate quantity can be
obtained from different places and the details are
given in the maps (Fig. 4, Table 3).
The different image elements that were
taken into consideration are tone, texture, pattern
etc. The multidate and multisensor imagery of
the study area display a more or less monotonous
dendritic drainage pattern, at places somewhat
controlled by local structures. The spectral
reflectance and emittance characteristics of rocks
and minerals in different wavelength regions are
the result of various physical and chemical
properties. Some of the linear features which
have been recorded with remarkable consistency
on multidate and multisensor image is clear cut
evidence and strongly suggest the presence of
subsurface fault/fracture in this area (Fig. 3).
Following the general procedures for the
preparation of groundwater potential zone
delineation based on visual interpretation of
satellite data, groundwater potential zone maps
have been prepared for the Chaka sub-basin at
1:50,000 scale (Fig. 4).
Morphometric Analysis Using Remote Sensing Techniques in the Chaka Sub-basin... 73

8~'12 s' ~3o'

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q- II

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Fig. 1. Base map (geological) showing the drainage pattern of the study area.

86~25'
i-,

Fig. 2. Geomorphological map of the study area.

74 S.K. Nag

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Fig 3. Map showing the lineaments of the study area.

8~ 2s' %~W
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to,- ".. ~ L I

, . 6 krn -.~ I

l-- ~e2s' ~"3o' ""

Fig. 4. Groundwater potential map of the study area based on integrauon of Remote Sensing
and Geomorphological data.
 Morphometric Analysis Using Remote Sensing Techniques in the Chaka Sub-basin... 75

Table 3. Different Hydrogeomorphological units and their groundwater prospects.

Map Geomorphic Lithostratigraphic Description Groundwater Potential

Unit Unit Unit

SH/ Structural Hill/ Amphibolites/ Elevated portion of the Generally poor, mostly run-off
RH/I Residual Hill/ granites hill but steeply sloping but along fracture/joints moderate
Inselberg on all directions below to poor, dug wells in fracture/
plateau level formed by joints or no valleys may be made
linear ridges
VSWP Very shallow Weathered granites Gently undulating rock Good to moderate along valleys,
MWP and moderately and mica-schists surface formed by granites joint intersections. Dug cum bore
weathered and mica-schists wells may be constructed.
pediplain Comparatively weathered zones
along valleys are good locations

SH = Structural Hill / RH = Residual Hill / I = lnselberg

VSWP = Very shallow weathered pediment / MWP = Moderately weathered pediplain

The groundwater in this area occurs
primarily in the hard rocks, within the weathered
mantle and fracture zones of the underlying
rocks. Good groundwater potential exists in
narrow zones of unconsolidated deposits along
valley fills. Geomorphologically, the entire area
is classified into (i) very shallow weathered
pediment (VSWP), (ii) moderately weathered
pediment (MWP), (iii) structural hills/residual
hills/ inselbergs and (iv) valley fills. Very
shallow weathered pediments have very poor
groundwater prospects due to very thin (0-1m)
weathered zone, and at some places country rock
is exposed leaving the place almost barren.
Moderately weathered pediments are potentially
good areas having 5 to 15 m weathered mantle
and most of the villages are situated on this zone;
due to its fairly good groundwater and soil
conditions, it has been put to paddy or other
types of cultivation. Structural hills consists of
resistant and bold landforms which are either
exposing structures or showing structural trends.
They are prominent because they form bold
escarpments. The groundwater in structural hills
is absolutely rare. The rain water mostly goes as
surface runoff, lnselbergs represent isolated
upland suddenly ejecting out from the plains and
the outcrops are mostly bare and eroded. The
loose materials at the base of such hills form
good recharge zone because of high infiltration
due to high porosity and permeability. Valley
fills and surrounding zones are relatively the best
from groundwater point of view, except at few
places where these are of very shallow and
narrow nature. In general, they contain
appreciable amount of unconsolidated deposits
(ie. to 20m) and are put into extensive
cultivation for high moisture bearing capacity. In
valley fill areas, post-monsoon water level is
found to be lm (bgl) whereas it is 1 to 10 m and
deeper in case of moderately weathered
pediment and very shallow weathered pediment
respectively.
76
Conclusion
The geomorphological features
structural hill/residual hill/inselberg, shallow and
moderately weathered pediplain and lineaments
could be easily identified and mapped using
satellite data.
The study indicates that pediplain and zone
where lineaments intersect are the prospective
zones for groundwater exploration. This study
clearly reveals that geomorphologic mapping
using satellite data is quite helpful for
delineating potential zones for groundwater
exploration. Further geophysical studies should
be carried out in the areas narrowed down by
remote sensing studies.
The low values of bifurcation ratio (1.95-
2.07) indicate that the drainage of the basin is
not affected by structural disturbances. This is
probably due to small area occupancy of the sub-
basin.
View publication stats
S.K. Nag
Acknowledgements
like The author greatly acknowledges the
financial support received from DST, Govt. of
India (ES/23/153/92). He is also grateful to DST
& NES, Govt. of West Bengal for giving
necessary permission to consult imagery and
providing lab-facilities.
References
Horton R E (1945). Erosional development of streams
and their drainage basins; Hydrophysical approach to
quantitative morphology. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am.,
56:275-370.
Schumm S A (1956). Evolution of drainage systems
and slopes in bad lands at Perth Amboy, New Jersey:
Bull. Geol. Soc. Am., 67:597-646.
Strahler A N (1964). Quantitative geomorphology of
basins and channel networks, Handbook of Applied
Hydrology (Ed. Ven Te Chow). McGraw Hill Book
Company, New York.