Quantitative Morphometric Analysis of the Markandahalla Basin, Kolar District, Karnataka Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

The present study undertakes a quantitative morphometric analysis of the Markandahalla watershed using Survey of India topographic maps (1:50,000 scale), SRTM DEM (90 m), ASTER DEM (30 m), and Cartosat DEM (30 m) as primary data sources. A total of 95 morphometric parameters spanning drainage network, basin geometry, drainage texture, and relief characteristics were derived and evaluated. The drainage network was digitised from topographic sheets and extracted automatically from DEM data using ArcGIS 10.2. Basic, derived, and shape parameters were computed for basin analysis. SRTM, ASTER, and Cartosat DEM analyses indicate fine drainage texture. Shape parameters confirm that the Markandahalla basin is elongated. High-resolution DEM data (ASTER and Cartosat, 30 m) yielded lower percentage variation relative to SOI derived values and greater parameter accuracy compared to the coarser SRTM (90 m) input. These findings support watershed management planning, groundwater recharge assessment, and sustainable water resource development in the basin.