Research on Drainage Network Extraction in Liaohe Basin Based on SRTM DEM and ASTER GDEM

In this study,SRTM DEM data and ASTER GDEM data were used as the basic topographic data,and Arc Hydro Tools was utilized for extension module so as to study on extracting digital drainage network of watershed based on surface runoff model,as well as to compare the two extracted results.The result showed that through the introduction of drainage density parameter to determine the river drainage area threshold,the both extracted drainages showed the goodness-of-fit with the factual drainage network on 1∶250 000 scale topographic map,and the extracted digital river could be used in practical operation of the risk assessment model of mountain torrents disaster in Liaohe basin.

Fluvial Geomorphology and Basin Development of Karra Khola Basin, Hetauda, Central Nepal

Geomorphological study of a basin is important for understanding theoverall basin characteristics which are helpful for the management of waterresources, construction along the river bank and natural hazard mitigationwithin the area. The study was carried out in the Karra Khola Basin, oneof the prominent basins in the Eastern extreme of the Hetauda Dun Valley,Central Nepal, to investigate geomorphic characteristics of the mainstream of the basin, categorize them into various stream types and studybasin development through drainage basin’s morphometric parameters.Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote sensing techniquesusing satellite images were used as a tool to make the morphometricanalysis of the basin along with its major 13 sub-basin and delineate streamclassification following the Rosgen’s Level I hierarchical inventory. Themain stream of the Karra Khola is characterized as A-, B- and C-typeand the tributaries segments as B- and F-type. The basin is structurallyunaffected and has the permeable surface area and elongated shape. Thehypsometric analysis indicates that the basin is mostly at the old stage ofgeomorphic development while four out of 13 sub-basin being at maturestage. The Karra Khola sub-basin have higher risk to flash flooding(Lg=0.1-0.16km). Drainage density value reveals that the basin is highlysusceptible to flooding, gully erosion, etc. Similarly, dissection index valueimplies that the north eastern region of the basin is highly vulnerable toerosion as it at the younger stage of geomorphic development. Since thestudy area is highly sensitive to future natural hazards, further study andappropriate measures should be followed for safeguarding against thefuture risk along the Karra Khola basin and its tributaries.

Analysis Neotectonic Activities in Khafr Basin

As Iran is located on one of the two earthquake-prone belts in the world, and existence of faults and earthquakes is normal in Iran tableland. The main reason of earthquake is Neotectonic movements which can be effective in other natural disasters such as range movements. Due to the severe shortage of historical and seismic data and device in different parts of the world, particularly Iran, need for introducing more researchers and planners of Iran to tectonics and active tectonic areas is more visible. This study is an investigation of Neotectonic activities in Khafr basin area, Fars province. To achieve the aims of this study morphometric parameters were used. Investigations showed that severity and role of tectonic activities in different parts of the basin is different, results of geomorphic and tectonic assessments indicate these differences.Stream length-gradient index (SL) on the main stream is inactive and sub streams are semi active, the ratio of the basin (BS) is 2.27, drainage basin asymmetry index (AF) is in semi active class, the ratio of width to depth of Valley (VF) shows 0.78. Indicators mentioned are in class 3 based on Iat classification, that represents tectonic activity in the area is average. Other indicators are indicative of active tectonic in the basin such as drainage density index (D) with high density, river sinuosity (S) 1.25, reverse topography symmetry Factor (T) 0.3.Generally it can be considered as moderately active region in terms of tectonic activities.

Experimental study on the energy dissipation characteristics of debris flow deceleration baffles

Debris flow can cause serious damages to roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructures.Arranging several rows of deceleration baffles in the significant influence on the mobility and deposition characteristic of debris flow. The deposit amount first increased then decreased when the flow density rises,flow path can reduce the flow velocity and ensure better protection of life and property. In debris flow prevention projects, deceleration baffles can effectively reduce the erosion of the debris flow and prolong the running time of the drainage channel.This study investigated the degree to which a 6 m long flume and three rows of deceleration baffles reduce the debris flow velocity and affect the energy dissipation characteristics. The influential variables include channel slope, debris flow density, and spacing between baffle rows. The experimental results demonstrated that the typical flow pattern was a sudden increase in flow depth and vertical proliferation when debris flow flows through the baffles. Strong turbulence between debris flow and baffles can contribute to energy dissipation and decrease the kinematic velocity considerably. The results showed that the reduction ratio of velocity increased with the increase in debris flow density,channel slope and spacing between rows. Tests phenomena also indicated that debris flow density hasand the deposit amount of debris flow density of 1500kg/m^3 reached the maximum when the experimental flume slope is 12°.

Rangeland hillslope lengths:A case study at the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed,southeastern Arizona

Rangeland hillslopes provide much of the sediment supplied to channel systems and their lengths exert a fundamental constraint on hillslope diffusive processes.However,information regarding lengths of rangeland hillslopes,and how best to estimate them,is limited.In this study,three groups of watersheds(10 in total)were selected from the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed according to their geology,soil and vegetation characteristics.Group 1 watersheds were at lower elevations dominated by shrubs,Group 3 were at high elevations dominated by grass,and Group 2 were mixed shrub and grass.Their hillslope lengths were calculated from 1 m-resolution DEMs using three methods:a flow routing algorithm,slope-area relationships,and inverted relationship with drainage density.Parameters that characterize the current watersheds,including Hack's exponent and coefficient,watershed shape coefficient,channel concavity and steepness,and surface roughness,were quantified and related to hillslope lengths.Results shows:(1)estimated hillslope lengths were different for the three methods and between the three groups of watersheds;(2)hillslope lengths that measured from the flow routing algorithm for the ten selected watersheds primarily ranged from 30 to 100 m,with a median value of 63.0 m,which was 20%e50%greater than those derived from slope-area plots or drainage densities;(3)hillslope lengths estimated from the flow routing method were greater in Group 3 watersheds than in Group 2 and then in Group 1 watersheds.We attributed these differences in hillslope lengths to the historic epeirogenic pulses,watershed and drainage network morphology,and differences in vegetation characteristics;(4)measured hillslope lengths from the flow routing algorithm were best correlated with hillslope relief,then surface roughness,channel steepness and concavity.These results would benefit the applications of hydrological and erosion models in rangelands.