Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds in a Tropical River Basin, Northern Kerala, India Using Geospatial Techniques

The prioritization of sub-watersheds using morphometric analysis for watershed development activities is gaining importance in recent years. The study area, a tropical river basin in Northern Kerala namely the Kadalundy River basin covers an area of 1266 km² and has been divided into 12 sub-watersheds. The linear, areal and relief parameters were delineated using Geographic Information System (GIS). The Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data was used to prepare the shaded relief and slope map of the study area. The study reveals the Kadalundy River basin as a sixth order basin, having dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. Majority of the sub-watersheds have an elongated shape and the presence of structural controls on drainage development is identified in some areas. Three sub-watersheds belonging to very high priority class and needs immediate attention for soil conservation measures.