Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Morphometric parameters of the Aksu watershed: An analysis of hydrologic processes 

Author(s):

Ayten Erol

Recieved Date: 2013-04-24, Accepted Date: 2013-09-30

Abstract:

In this study morphometric parameters were examined with an emphasis on an analysis of the hydrologic processes of the Aksu watershed. The morphometric parameter data for the study was obtained from field studies and topographic maps, combined using GIS. The results showed that the watershed area is 49.29 km². There are 121 sub-streams with a total stream length of 939.51 km. The soil texture of the Aksu watershed is clay loam described as moderately permeable. This textural status is considered to be high as stream frequency and drainage density values are 2.45 and 19 km^-1, respectively. The watershed is strongly elongated with a circularity ratio of 0.22 km^-1 and an elongation ratio of 0.62 which generally represent mountainous and sloping topographic conditions. Shape parameters such as circularity ratio (0.22), compactness coefficient (2.11) and elongation ratio (0.62) demonstrate that the shape of the Aksu watershed is a longitudinal shape with a heterogeneous geological structure. Despite the textural dissection, these results and high values of stream frequency and drainage density verify that the watershed is a mountainous area with low amount of vegetation,  weak and not very permeable subsoil, thereby having a great proportion of surface runoff. These results also imply that surface runoff is quickly removed from the watershed. In the watershed, human induced soil degradation is likely to have a negative impact on water quality and quantity due to the negative effects on the stream network. It is therefore advised that human activities should be included in the management plan to enhance the watershed health and sustainability. 

Keywords:

Aksu watershed, hydrologic processes, morphometric parameters, watershed management plans

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 1473-1478

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :